Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, has announced the deployment of 23 surveillance officers to each of the state’s 23 local government areas to enhance disease monitoring, contact tracing, and grassroots sensitisation as part of efforts to halt the spread of Lassa fever.
Ogwuche made this known during an inspection tour of the isolation facility at Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
He acknowledged the growing number of infections and reiterated the government’s commitment to stepping up containment strategies.
He appealed to members of the public to immediately present themselves at approved health centres once symptoms appear, emphasising that early detection and prompt treatment are vital to lowering the death toll associated with the disease.
While hosting the commissioner, the Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Terungwa Stephen Hwande, expressed concern over the spike in infections, revealing that the hospital had documented 28 suspected cases as of February 2026.
Dr. Hwande praised the commissioner for the visit and stated that the hospital administration had strengthened its infection prevention and control protocols in response to the situation.
He further appealed for swift government support to upgrade the isolation unit with patient monitoring devices, a better waste disposal system, and other critical medical equipment.
In a statement, the hospital’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Tsenzughul Moses, disclosed that Hwande also outlined plans to set up a fully operational emergency laboratory within the isolation centre to enable immediate on-site testing.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, reported that as of February 26, 2026, the state had confirmed 45 Lassa fever cases from 250 suspected cases, with 10 deaths recorded so far.
Benue deploys 23 surveillance officers to curb Lassa fever spread
