Lassa Fever: Death toll hits 13 in Benue

Thirteen people have died as a result of the Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State, and there are now 55 confirmed cases of the deadly illness.

This was said on Tuesday by Dr. Yanmar Ortese, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, during a report on the current Epidemiology Week 9 epidemic.

Nine of the 46 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the state, according to information released last week by the state epidemiologist, Dr. Sam Ngishe, were fatalities.

The commissioner said, “The State’s Situation Report of the current outbreak from 1% November 2023 to 2nd March 2024(Epidemiology week 9), shows a total of 725 suspected cases, 55 confirmed cases with 13 deaths, 2 probable cases, and a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 23.6%.

“The disease has spread to nine local government areas of the state, this is against the seven LGAs earlier mentioned by the state epidemiologist.

“The nine LGAs affected, according to the commissioner are;  Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Gwer East, Okpokwu, Obi, Ogbadibo, Otukpo, and Ukum.

Saying that "it calls for collective action to stop the spread of the disease in the state," Dr. Ortese characterised the figure as "worrisome."