Benue Has Highest Lassa Fever Cases —WHO

The Benue State government says the World Health Organisation (WHO) received the highest number of reported cases of lassa fever in Nigeria with a case fatality rate of 13 deaths out of 55 representing 23.6 percent in nine local government areas of the state.

The state commissioner for health and human services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, disclosed this following a risk assessment that placed the state at a very high risk of increased transmission within and beyond its borders.

He said the ministry has activated a multi-sectoral emergency operation centre for lassa fever to achieve multi-sectoral coordination and response.

Dr Ortese who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi on the update of the disease said from November 1, 2023 to March 2, 2024 the epidemiology week 9 showed a total number of 725 suspected cases, 55 were confirmed positive while 13 deaths were recorded with two probable cases.

The commissioner who decried the rising  cases of the disease appealed to the leadership of NCDC to establish a molecular laboratory for testing of suspected cases and a treatment centre to treat confirmed cases.

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According to him, establishing a molecular laboratory will help to obtain results of positive cases quickly for immediate commencement of treatment because for now, they are sending all samples to Abjua and it usually takes four to five days to get the results before commencing treatment, resulting in the loss of some of the patients.

He identified the nine affected local governments areas as Makurdi, Guma, Gwer-West, Gwer-East, Okpokwu, Obi, Otukpo, Ogbadibo and Ukum, and appealed to the public to note that early detection of cases improves chances of the victim’s survival.

The representative of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Dr. Henry Nweke who commended  the Benue State government for prompt response promises to convey all their appeals to the leadership of the NCDC for necessary action.