Benue State Forms Strategic Alliance With Global Health Agencies to Combat Escalating Lassa Fever Emergency

Benue State health officials mobilize the WHO and UNICEF to curb the Lassa fever outbreak. Learn how new PPE and surveillance strategies are being deployed now.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 5:17 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent Newspapers

State Government Initiates High-Level Response to Pathogenic Threat

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has moved to a wartime footing against the Lassa fever virus by initiating a comprehensive stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Makurdi. Led by Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the Commissioner for Health, the state is seeking to synchronize its domestic efforts with the expertise of global health heavyweights. This mobilization follows a period of increasing concern regarding the virus's trajectory within the state borders, prompting the government to unveil specialized infrastructure, such as contact-free Veronica buckets, to mitigate transmission in public spaces.

International Partners Bolster Frontline Defense with Vital Supplies

In a direct show of support for the state’s medical personnel, the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered a significant consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health. This intervention is specifically targeted at reducing the high rate of infection among healthcare workers who are currently managing active cases in isolation centers. The WHO delegation stressed during the meeting that reinforcing the safety of these frontline responders is the primary priority, as their protection is essential to maintaining the integrity of the state’s healthcare system during the peak of the outbreak.

Identifying and Bridging Critical Gaps in Disease Surveillance

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) provided a sobering assessment of the state’s current readiness, highlighting specific operational weaknesses that have hindered the response thus far. According to NCDC representatives, there are notable deficiencies in surveillance, case management, and general infection control systems within Benue's health facilities. By identifying these gaps, the state intends to implement more rigorous monitoring protocols that allow for the rapid identification and isolation of new cases before they can trigger wider community transmission.