Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Dr. Yanmar Ortese has confirmed that the death toll from the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state has surged to 13, with confirmed cases of the disease reaching 55.
Dr. Ortese revealed on Tuesday during the reporting of the current outbreak of Epidemiology week 9.
Providing further details, Dr. Ortese stated, “The State’s Situation Report of the current outbreak from 1st 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 percent.
“The disease has spread to nine local government areas of the state, contrary to the initial seven LGAs mentioned by the state epidemiologist.”
The affected local government areas, according to the commissioner, include Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Gwer East, Okpokwu, Obi, Ogbadibo, Otukpo, and Ukum.
Describing the figures as ‘worrisome,’ Dr. Ortese emphasized the need for collective action to halt the spread of the disease in the state.
In addition to the Lassa fever outbreak, the commissioner revealed that the state is currently grappling with outbreaks of Measles, with 256 suspected cases and 31 confirmed cases across five Local Government Areas. The affected LGAs are Buruku, Gwer West, Logo, Ushongo, and Vandeikya.
He added that the ministry is also investigating approximately 354 suspected cases of Buruli Ulcer across 11 LGAs, indicating the multifaceted health challenges confronting the state.
Dr. Ortese reassured that the state health team is actively responding to the situation, with surveillance officers closely monitoring the events.
Recall that the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Sam Ngishe, had disclosed on February 29th that nine people out of the 46 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the state had lost their lives.
