By One person has died from Lassa Fever in Benue State out of three confirmed cases from seven suspected cases. The victim reportedly passed away due to complications before the laboratory results confirmed the infection.
Dr. Asema Msuega, the State’s Epidemiologist, disclosed this in a telephone interview. He revealed that blood samples were collected from seven individuals, out of which three tested positive for Lassa Fever. The two surviving patients are currently receiving treatment at the Isolation Centre at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.
“Out of the three confirmed Lassa Fever cases, one of them died even before the result came out,” Dr. Msuega stated. He added that contact tracing has begun, with four relatives of the infected individuals already showing symptoms.
Dr. Msuega urged residents to maintain proper hygiene to prevent rodent infestation, a major cause of the disease. He advised people to cover both cooked and uncooked food properly and avoid exposure to rodents.
Additionally, he recommended sleeping in well-ventilated rooms to reduce the spread of Lassa Fever and other infectious diseases during the current heat period.
The state’s health authorities are intensifying efforts to control the spread of the disease and educate the public about preventive measures.
