Lassa fever: 383 suspected cases, 47 confirmed positive

THE Benue State government has announced that the state recorded 383 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 47 confirmed positive cumulatively.

It said no death has been recorded in the past 11 days, even as the state continues to monitor and respond to the outbreak.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche who disclosed these,  yesterday, in Makurdi.

According to the commissioner, recent laboratory findings indicate a significant drop in new infections, with only six cases confirmed out of samples tested within the last 11 days.

“We have not recorded any mortality in the last 11 days. So far, the cumulative number of suspected cases has increased from 251 to 383, while confirmed cases stand at 47,” Ogwuche said.

He further noted that infections among health workers remain at 14, with two fatalities recorded since the outbreak began in the state.

Ogwuche also disclosed that 20 patients were currently receiving treatment in isolation centres, with 14 at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, and six at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi.

The commissioner attributed the decline in fatality and infection rates to intensified public sensitisation, early detection, and the collaborative efforts of development partners.

“The rate has dropped drastically due to aggressive surveillance and case tracking. We are actively searching for suspected cases, and the number of positives is now much lower compared to before,” he stated.

He highlighted ongoing collaboration with key health partners, including the World Health Organisation, WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, noting that surveillance activities were active across all 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

Culled from Vanguard