A fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in Benue State has claimed the life of a medical doctor, prompting health authorities to step up surveillance and contact-tracing efforts across affected communities.
The deceased, Dr. Vitalis Azever, was said to have died while receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital after complications arising from the viral disease.
His death occurred barely two days after another Benue-born doctor, Dr. Cedric Kondom, reportedly died from bone marrow failure, throwing the state's medical community into mourning.
Confirming the development on Monday, Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, said the government had activated emergency measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
According to him, the state was nearing the end of its monitoring period and considering declaring the outbreak over before the latest case emerged.
He disclosed that the deceased battled illness for more than two weeks before tests confirmed he had contracted Lassa fever.
Ogwuche explained that the doctor initially managed the illness outside government health facilities before his condition deteriorated.
Medical examinations later revealed complications affecting his kidneys, leading to his referral to a specialist hospital in Jos, where he eventually died.
The commissioner said health officials had commenced contact tracing and intensified public sensitisation campaigns.
He added that engagements with religious leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders were being expanded to improve awareness and encourage early reporting of suspected cases.
He noted that no other confirmed patient was currently receiving treatment for Lassa fever in the state but stressed that authorities would continue monitoring the situation for another incubation cycle before considering an official declaration that the outbreak had ended.
Meanwhile, the President of the Moses Orshio Adasu University Medical Alumni Association, Dr. Msonter Anzaa, described the deaths of Azever and Kondom as a painful loss to the medical profession.
He said the association had declared a seven-day mourning period in honour of the deceased doctors.
Anzaa also called attention to challenges within the country's healthcare system, urging stakeholders to pursue reforms capable of strengthening medical services and improving outcomes for healthcare workers and patients alike.
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