Benue records 63 Lassa Fever cases, 11 fatalities
Benue State is reported to have recorded about 63 cases of Lassa Fever and 11 fatalities in 2024. The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, who made this known while declaring open a Lassa Fever Case Management workshop in Makurdi, said the figure represented an overall Case Fatality Rate, CFR, of 17 percent since the beginning of the year. Represented by the Director, Medical Services in the Ministry, Dr. Joshua Agbadu, the Commissioner noted that the disease had continued to pose significant public health challenges in our state. He said: "Over the past few years, Benue State has been at the forefront of battling recurrent outbreaks of Lassa Fever. According to our most recent data, in 2024 alone, we have recorded 63 confirmed cases, with 11 fatalities and an overall case fatality Rate, CFR, of 17 percentage. "Alarmingly, eight healthcare workers have been affected this year, underscoring the risks faced by our frontline heroes who...