Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria’s Benue State Claims Lives of Four Health Workers as Cases Climb

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Benue State health authorities have confirmed the deaths of four health workers from Lassa fever amid a growing outbreak that continues to strain local health systems and raise alarm among public health officials. The state government announced the fatalities on Monday in Makurdi, the state capital, as suspected and confirmed cases in the region escalate well beyond initial reports. 

Dr Paul Ogwuche, Benue’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, provided a detailed briefing to journalists, disclosing that the state’s disease surveillance dashboard now shows more than 60 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 11 of those cases confirmed through laboratory testing. Of the confirmed cases, four were health workers who succumbed to the disease. Three other patients are currently on admission in treatment facilities, according to the commissioner. 

This development follows the state’s formal declaration of a Lassa fever outbreak on February 3 after an earlier cluster of suspected infections prompted activation of emergency response mechanisms. Initial reports from that declaration indicated at least 56 suspected cases, eight confirmed infections and three deaths, including healthcare workers among those affected. 

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. It is caused by the Lassa virus, which is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected Mastomys rats. In healthcare settings, inadequate infection prevention and control practices can facilitate person‑to‑person transmission, placing frontline medical staff at heightened risk. 

The loss of four health workers has intensified concerns about occupational safety for medical personnel in the state. A recent advisory from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) highlighted broader trends nationwide, reporting multiple infections among healthcare workers in the current Lassa fever transmission season and urging strict adherence to infection prevention protocols. 

Benue’s health commissioner emphasised that the deaths underscore the inherent risks faced by medical professionals, particularly where protective equipment and effective infection control are inadequate. Ogwuche noted that all 23 general hospitals in the state are staffed by qualified medical doctors, despite ongoing challenges in meeting recommended staff‑to‑patient ratios. He also praised recent efforts to bolster manpower and infrastructure in public health facilities, including recruitment drives and upgrades to the state’s teaching hospital. 

In his remarks, Ogwuche reiterated that the government is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to enhance public awareness and implement measures to curb the spread of the virus. These include community outreach, health education campaigns, and technical support from federal disease control teams. The state has been urging residents to adopt improved hygiene practices and environmental sanitation to reduce rodent infestation, a key driver of Lassa fever transmission. 

Public health experts emphasise that early detection and treatment significantly improve survival outcomes for Lassa fever patients. The antiviral drug ribavirin, when administered promptly, can reduce the severity of the disease and lower mortality. However, the absence of a licensed vaccine means that prevention through hygiene, safe food storage and rodent control remains central to containing outbreaks.

The ongoing spike in suspected cases has prompted state officials to call for heightened vigilance across communities. Lassa fever symptoms often mirror those of more common tropical diseases like malaria or typhoid, with early signs including fever, headache and general weakness. These overlaps can delay accurate diagnosis and impede timely treatment. 

Nigeria’s broader Lassa fever season, which typically peaks between November and May each year, has seen persistent surges in infections in recent years, with multiple states reporting outbreaks simultaneously. National epidemiological data indicate that confirmed cases and fatalities have been increasing, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control activating emergency response structures in multiple regions to coordinate surveillance, case management and public education.

In addition to Benue, states such as Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Ebonyi have been identified as areas with significant Lassa fever activity. These outbreaks reflect complex interplays of environmental conditions, health infrastructure gaps and population behaviour, and they underscore the need for coordinated multi‑sectoral responses. 

While the four health worker fatalities in Benue serve as a stark reminder of the risks posed by Lassa fever, public health authorities remain focused on containment and mitigation. Measures being pursued include strengthening infection control across healthcare facilities, expanding community engagement to encourage early presentation at health centres, and ensuring that local surveillance systems remain robust and responsive.

State officials also appeal to residents to maintain clean household environments, properly store foodstuffs to discourage rodent access and report suspected cases promptly to health authorities. Such community‑level actions, combined with continued technical support from national and international health agencies, are viewed as critical to controlling the spread of Lassa fever and reducing further loss of life. 

The impact on health workers has resonated widely, prompting calls for increased provision of personal protective equipment and enhanced training in infection prevention. Healthcare unions and professional associations have reiterated the importance of safeguarding frontline staff, citing Lassa fever fatalities as emblematic of broader occupational hazards faced by medical personnel in endemic settings. 

As the outbreak evolves, maintaining public trust in health systems and ensuring transparent communication about risks and response efforts are essential. Officials in Benue and across Nigeria continue to stress the need for collective action, as the country navigates a challenging public health landscape shaped by seasonal viral threats and systemic health sector pressures. 

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