The Benue State Government has ordered the immediate closure of a private hospital and mortuary in Okpokwu Local Government Area following the death of a 54-year-old woman who tested positive for Lassa fever.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed the development in Makurdi on Thursday, noting that the move was part of emergency containment efforts aimed at preventing further infections and ensuring proper decontamination of the affected facilities.
According to Ogwuche, the deceased, a resident of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, died at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where laboratory tests confirmed she was positive for Lassa fever. Her remains were later taken to a private morgue in Ugbokolo before the intervention.
The commissioner revealed that the containment team initially faced resistance when some youths from the deceased’s community forcefully removed the corpse during burial arrangements.
“I personally led a delegation of health and security officials to the affected areas to restore order and safeguard public health,” he said.
Through dialogue with family members, community leaders, and youth representatives, the remains were retrieved and buried safely in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.
Dr. Ogwuche added that all contacts—both at the hospital and in the community—have been traced, placed under medical surveillance, and educated on preventive measures. Health sensitization campaigns have also been intensified across affected communities.
He cautioned residents against handling corpses of individuals who die from suspected infectious diseases and urged prompt reporting of prolonged fever or unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility.
Benue State has continued to battle recurring outbreaks of Lassa fever. As of September 2025, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Asema Msuega, confirmed 243 suspected cases and 13 deaths, including that of a health worker.
The State Government reiterated its commitment to protecting public health, warning that it would not tolerate any actions capable of undermining containment measures or endangering lives.
