The Benue State government announced on Monday that the state has recorded 63 cases of Lassa fever, resulting in 11 deaths this year.
Dr. Yanmar Ortese, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, shared the update during a Lassa Fever Case Management workshop in Makurdi, noting a 17% fatality rate. Represented by Dr. Joshua Agbadu, Ortese highlighted improvements in tackling the disease but emphasized the need for ongoing training. He added that eight healthcare workers were infected while treating patients.
The workshop, hosted by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the NCDC and WHO, aimed to enhance skills for managing Lassa fever cases. Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim, WHO’s State Coordinator, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to tackling the disease, describing it as an ongoing public health challenge.
Discussions also included addressing issues of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEA) within humanitarian work.
