Fresh Outbreak of Lassa Fever Kills Medical Doctor In Benue

…. As Another One Dies Of Bone Marrow Failure 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Fresh Lassa Fever outbreak has claimed the life of a senior medical doctor, Vitalis Tersoo Azever, working with APIN Public Health Initiatives in Konshisha local government area of Benue State.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, who confirmed the new  case to journalists in  Makurdi on Monday, disclosed that the ministry has embarked on case  and contact tracings.

Ogwuche stated that the victim succumbed to the disease after struggling within himself for over two weeks, saying  the State is in the verge of declaring the outbreak over before the new case was recorded few days ago.

According to him, emergency response measures have been activated to contain the spread of the viral disease and protect residents.

He maintained that with this fresh outbreak, the ministry has  heightened it campaign again and reactivated its awareness campaign by going back to the communities even though they have been doing this all these while.

“There is a fresh case of Lassa Fever in the State. Only one doctor had died. The victim was buried on last Saturday being 20th June, 2026.

He worked with APIN Foundation in Konshisha local government area of the State, but hailed from Kwande local government axis. 

“So far, there is no any other person on admission at any hospital in the State. In fact, we wanted to declare the outbreak over before this case came up.

The doctor took illed and was managing himself at home and private  hospital.

“For over two weeks he was struggling and when there was no improvement, then another of his friend told him that his situation is suggestive of Lassa Fever and they carried out something like a casual test on him which turned positive.

 “So, when we even wanted to put him on admission at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, he said no, that we should give him drugs to take at home and injection.

But we said no, it wouldn’t work like that. He was eventually taken to the teaching hospital for test”, he said. 

According to the commissioner, baseline investigation was conducted  on the victim where it was discovered that his kidney is getting affected.

“We have to referred him to Jos. So, he actually died in Jos and the corpse was brought from JUTH and buried on Saturday”.

Speaking on other measures being taken to forestall further outbreak, Ogwuche intimated that, the responds to all those emergencies are similar,

He added that with recent outbreak of  Ebola,  NCDC has been given them update and also putting them on alert. 

“So also we have been doing that. We checked all our facilities, heightened our surveillance and for this particular case, we have embarked on case  and contact tracings too, spreading the message.

We have ongoing engagement with the media for jiggles. We are thinking of bringing people churches and mosque to train and even traditional rulers too because they are in the communities. 

“Like I told you earlier, we are about to declare the outbreak over after the 42 incubation period before this case broke out.

This is the only case for now. And so, we are still going to wait for another 42 days incubation period before we can think of declaring it over again.

But off course, we are looking at it of becoming endemic now even though it has season. We need to keep on educating people”, Ogwuche added.

Meanwhile, another medical doctor identified as Tyoor Cedric Kondom who graduated recently and waiting for his induction into the profession in the next ten days, has died of  bone marrow failure in the State.

The Benue Medical and Dental Students’ Association (BEMSA-National) announced his death in a tribute, describing him as a dedicated and hardworking graduate whose life was cut short at a crucial moment in his career.

“With deep sadness and a profound sense of loss, we join family, friends, and colleagues in mourning the passing of our beloved brother and colleague, Kondom Cedric, who passed away on Thursday, 18th June 2026,” the association stated.

According to the tribute, Cedric had successfully completed the rigorous demands of medical school and was only days away from being formally inducted as a medical doctor when he d+ed.

The association described him as an exceptional young professional whose time in medical school was marked by determination, resilience, and commitment to the practice of medicine