The Benue State Government has officially declared an outbreak of Lassa fever in the state following a surge in cases, with health authorities reporting 56 suspected infections, 8 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 4 deaths as of January 31, 2026.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, who expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of the viral hemorrhagic disease. Of the confirmed cases, three deaths occurred among laboratory-positive patients, while one additional fatality was recorded, contributing to the total of four deaths.
The outbreak has prompted immediate activation of emergency response measures, including enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and public health interventions to contain further spread. Authorities have urged residents to adopt strict preventive practices, such as maintaining high standards of personal and environmental hygiene, avoiding contact with rodents (the primary vectors for Lassa virus transmission), and seeking early medical attention for symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding.
Lassa fever, an acute viral illness endemic in parts of West Africa including Nigeria, is transmitted primarily through exposure to the urine or feces of infected multimammate rats, with human-to-human spread possible in healthcare settings or through close contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.
The disease is particularly dangerous during the dry season, when rodent activity increases indoors.This development comes amid a broader national upsurge in Lassa fever cases in early 2026, with reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicating confirmed infections and fatalities across multiple states, including high-burden areas like Edo, Ondo, and others.
Benue has historically recorded Lassa cases, but the current figures mark a notable escalation, building on earlier reports from late January that noted rising suspected and confirmed cases with initial fatalities.
State officials have assured the public that response teams are collaborating with federal health agencies and partners like the World Health Organization to provide essential drugs, personal protective equipment, and community outreach. Residents are encouraged to report any suspected symptoms promptly to nearest health facilities and to eliminate rodent habitats by securing food storage, maintaining clean environments, and avoiding bushmeat consumption.
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