- Last week, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Sam Ngishe, had revealed that nine individuals among the 46 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the state had lost their lives
The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State has risen to 13, with confirmed cases reaching 55.
Dr. Yanmar Ortese, the Commissioner for Health and Human Resources in Benue State, reported these figures on Tuesday during an update on the current outbreak in Epidemiology week 9.
Last week, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Sam Ngishe, had revealed that nine individuals among the 46 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the state had lost their lives.
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.
The commissioner added that the state is currently experiencing outbreaks of Measles with 256 suspected cases suspected and 31 confirmed cases across 5 Local
Government Areas.
“The affected LGAs are Buruku Gwer West, Logo, Ushongo and Vandeikya.
“The state team has responded to the situation and our surveillance officers are following the events very closely”, he said.
He added that the ministry is also investigating about 354 suspected cases of Buruli Ulcer across 11 LGAs.
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