The Benue State Government has confirmed the death of four health workers following a surge in Lassa fever cases, raising fresh concerns about the safety of frontline medical personnel and the spread of the viral disease in the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Commissioner for Health, Paul Ogwuche, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday. The deceased health workers were among those previously reported to have tested positive for the virus.
Earlier this month, the commissioner had announced that four frontline workers — three nurses and a community health worker — were infected with Lassa fever while carrying out their duties. The latest confirmation indicates that all four have now succumbed to the disease.
Ogwuche recalled that the state government officially declared a Lassa fever outbreak a week prior to the infections being made public, after recording 53 suspected cases and three deaths. The situation has since escalated, with authorities intensifying surveillance, contact tracing and public awareness campaigns to contain further spread.
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, remains endemic in several parts of Nigeria. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate or compromised.
Health experts say the deaths of medical personnel underscore the occupational risks faced by frontline workers during outbreaks, especially in environments with limited protective equipment or delayed diagnosis. The loss has also sparked renewed calls for strengthened infection control protocols across hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
The Benue State Ministry of Health has urged residents to maintain proper hygiene practices, store food safely, and promptly report symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness and unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility. Authorities are also appealing to healthcare workers to adhere strictly to universal safety precautions.
As containment efforts continue, public health officials warn that early detection and treatment remain critical to improving survival rates. The outbreak in Benue adds to ongoing national concerns about recurring Lassa fever spikes, particularly during peak transmission seasons.
The state government has pledged continued collaboration with federal health agencies and development partners to curb the outbreak and safeguard both residents and frontline responders.
