Fear grips Benue community as woman dies of Lassa fever

Tension has spread across Ogbadibo and neighbouring Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue State, following the death of a 54-year-old woman, who reportedly succumbed to Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

Sources close to the deceased’s family told PUNCH Online that fear heightened in the affected areas after a medical team from the state Ministry of Health visited the communities to trace contacts of those who had interacted with the deceased before her death.

It was gathered that the woman, who hailed from Ogbadibo LGA, died on Sunday after laboratory tests confirmed she had contracted the disease.

Her remains were said to have been taken to a private morgue in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA, before some community youths allegedly seized the body during burial.

The state Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Dr Paul Ogwuche, who confirmed the incident to journalists on Thursday, said he personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to the two local government areas to ensure public safety and prevent further spread.

He said, “During initial response efforts, the ministry’s Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial.

“Through dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was successfully retrieved and safely buried in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, by the State Safe Burial Team, in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.”

Ogwuche added that he had ordered the immediate closure of the private hospital and mortuary where the corpse had been kept, pending full decontamination, disinfection, and epidemiological investigation.

He said all hospital staff and close contacts of the deceased have been placed under surveillance, while health education campaigns have been launched in both local government areas to promote hygiene and curb panic.

The commissioner commended local leaders for their cooperation and urged residents to avoid handling corpses of persons suspected to have died from infectious diseases.

He also advised the public to promptly report any cases of prolonged fever or unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility.

Lassa fever has remained a recurring challenge in Benue State.

Earlier in September, the state epidemiologist, Dr Asema Msuega, reported 243 suspected cases and 13 deaths recorded between January and September 2025, including that of a health worker.