A senior medical doctor working with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria in the Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State has died following complications from Lassa fever.
The deceased, who was buried last Saturday, June 20, 2026, reportedly battled the illness for over two weeks before his condition worsened.
Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, confirmed the development on Monday in Makurdi, saying the ministry had activated contact tracing and surveillance measures in response to the case.
According to Ogwuche, the deceased initially declined medical attention at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, preferring to receive treatment at home.
Ogwuche said the initial investigations indicated that the deceased already had kidney complications, which likely exacerbated his condition.
The commissioner further disclosed that health authorities had been placed on alert following recent updates on other infectious disease threats, including Ebola, while surveillance had been strengthened across health facilities.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, has been at the forefront of efforts to combat Lassa fever in the state.
Dr. Ejeh-Ogwuche was appointed as the State Commissioner for Health in 2020, and has since played a key role in shaping the state's healthcare policies.
As the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ejeh-Ogwuche has been instrumental in coordinating the state's response to the Lassa fever outbreak, including the activation of contact tracing and surveillance measures.
The AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, where the deceased worked, has been at the forefront of efforts to combat infectious diseases in the state.
The organization has been conducting sensitization campaigns and providing medical assistance to those affected by Lassa fever.
Ogwuche said the ministry had been conducting public awareness campaigns and reactivating response measures across communities in the state.
He added that initial investigations indicated that the deceased initially declined medical attention at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, preferring to receive treatment at home.
O gwuche said the ministry had commenced case investigation and contact tracing following the renewed outbreak.
He further disclosed that health authorities had been placed on alert following recent updates on other infectious disease threats, including Ebola, while surveillance had been strengthened across health facilities.
In this case, Ogwuche said the ministry had activated contact tracing and surveillance measures in response to the case.
Ogwuche said the state had been close to declaring the outbreak over after completing a 42-day incubation monitoring period before the new case emerged, adding that a fresh cycle of observation would now be required before any declaration can be made.
The Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State has been a major concern for health authorities in the state.
The disease has been responsible for several deaths in the state in recent months, and the government has been working to contain its spread.
The Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, is one of the major hospitals in the state that provides medical care to those affected by Lassa fever.
The hospital has been at the forefront of efforts to combat the disease in the state, providing medical assistance to those affected and sensitizing the public on the dangers of the disease.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been working closely with the state government to contain the spread of Lassa fever.
The NCDC has been providing technical assistance to the state government on contact tracing and surveillance measures, and has also been sensitizing the public on the dangers of the disease.
The NCDC has also been working to strengthen surveillance and case investigation across health facilities in the state.
Lassa fever is a viral disease that is transmitted through contact with food or water contaminated with the urine or feces of infected rodents.
The disease can also be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, sore throat, and swelling of the face.
If left untreated, Lassa fever can lead to more severe symptoms such as hemorrhaging, seizures, and coma.
There is no specific treatment for Lassa fever, and treatment is mainly focused on providing supportive care to manage the symptoms.
The ministry has been conducting public awareness campaigns and sensitizing the public on the dangers of Lassa fever.
Ogwuche said the ministry had commenced case investigation and contact tracing following the renewed outbreak.
He added that health authorities had been placed on alert following recent updates on other infectious disease threats, including Ebola, while surveillance had been strengthened across health facilities.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, said the ministry had activated contact tracing and surveillance measures in response to the case.
Ogwuche said the state had been close to declaring the outbreak over after completing a 42-day incubation monitoring period before the new case emerged, adding that a fresh cycle of observation would now be required before any declaration can be made.
The Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State has been a major concern for health authorities in the state.
The disease has been responsible for several deaths in the state in recent months, and the government has been working to contain its spread.
The Ministry of Health has been working closely with the NCDC to contain the spread of Lassa fever.
The NCDC has been providing technical assistance to the state government on contact tracing and surveillance measures, and has also been sensitizing the public on the dangers of the disease.
Aid is on the way, but more needs to be done, the ministry has said in a statement.
The statement added that the ministry has been working closely with the state government to provide medical assistance to those affected by Lassa fever.
In response to the outbreak, the ministry has activated contact tracing and surveillance measures in response to the case.
Ogwuche said the ministry had commenced case investigation and contact tracing following the renewed outbreak.
He added that health authorities had been placed on alert following recent updates on other infectious disease threats, including Ebola, while surveillance had been strengthened across health facilities.
The Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State has been a major concern for health authorities in the state.
The disease has been responsible for several deaths in the state in recent months, and the government has been working to contain its spread.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has been working closely with the state government to contain the spread of Lassa fever.
The NCDC has been providing technical assistance to the state government on contact tracing and surveillance measures, and has also been sensitizing the public on the dangers of the disease.
The NCDC has also been working to strengthen surveillance and case investigation across health facilities in the state.
Lassa fever is a viral disease that is transmitted through contact with food or water contaminated with the urine or feces of infected rodents.
The disease can also be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, sore throat, and swelling of the face.
If left untreated, Lassa fever can lead to more severe symptoms such as hemorrhaging, seizures, and coma.
There is no specific treatment for Lassa fever, and treatment is mainly focused on providing supportive care to manage the symptoms.
The ministry has been conducting public awareness campaigns and sensitizing the public on the dangers of Lassa fever.
Ogwuche said the ministry had commenced case investigation and contact tracing following the renewed outbreak.
He added that health authorities had been placed on alert following recent updates on other infectious disease threats, including Ebola, while surveillance had been strengthened across health facilities.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, said the ministry had activated contact tracing and surveillance measures in response to the case.
Ogwuche said the state had been close to declaring the outbreak over after completing a 42-day incubation monitoring period before the new case emerged, adding that a fresh cycle of observation would now be required before any declaration can be made.
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