Benue State Government says no deaths from Lassa fever have been recorded in the last 11 days, despite a rise in suspected infections.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this while briefing journalists, noting that suspected cases have increased to 383, with 47 confirmed infections so far.
He added that the total number of deaths since the outbreak remains 14.
Providing further details, the commissioner said only six new cases were confirmed within the last 11 days, indicating a slowdown in infections.
He also noted that 20 patients are currently in isolation 14 at Benue State University Teaching Hospital and six at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
According to him, “We have not recorded any mortality in the last 11 days. So far, the cumulative figure of suspected cases has moved from 251 to 382, while 47 cases have been confirmed cumulatively.”
Dr. Ogwuche attributed the improvement to intensified awareness campaigns, early detection, and support from health partners, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
He said surveillance has been strengthened across all 23 local government areas, with health workers trained on infection prevention and control measures.
“The rates have dropped drastically because we are out combing for suspected cases. Those that are positive are few compared to before. We have engaged in regular meetings with WHO, NCDC, and the Emergency Operations Centre.
“Surveillance is ongoing in all 23 LGAs. We provide regular updates and carry out training of health workers on basic prevention and infection control in isolation centres, which accounts for why they are not infected. There are 14 cases in BSUTH and six at FMC, Makurdi, in isolation.
“The pillars we put in place — sensitisation and health education — have accounted for this development. People now know what to do and what they should not do.
“The message has reached all 23 LGAs. We are also tracking our cases very early now because the surveillance officers are in the field. Any reported positive case is monitored along all contact lines; once there are symptoms, we test and take them to the isolation centre.
“The earlier you present, the better the outcome. The low mortality shows that people are being tracked in their communities and brought in for early treatment.
“There is also a lot of intervention from our partners. Many of them are on the ground, the NCDC, MSF and WHO are all working together to see how we can curtail it.
“The pillars of the response, including infection prevention and control, are in place, and all our laboratories are functional, capable of detecting early infection and initiating treatment. A lot has been done by the Ministry and its partners.
“The state government has supported the response with substantial funds, which have enabled us to work effectively.
“Everybody is on their toes doing the needful. We have not recorded any outbreak in the IDP camps.
“We are on the verge of distributing IAC materials (flyers) to the 15 IDP camps in the state,” he said.
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