A fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in Benue State has claimed the life of a medical doctor, Dr Vitalis Tersoo Azever, prompting health authorities to intensify surveillance and activate emergency response measures across the state.
Dr Azever, a staff member of APIN Public Health Initiatives in Konshisha Local Government Area, died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Plateau State, where he had been receiving treatment for complications arising from the viral disease.
His death came barely 48 hours after another young doctor, Dr Cedric Tyoor Kondom, reportedly died at the same hospital from bone marrow failure, throwing the medical community in Benue into mourning.
Confirming the development on Monday in Makurdi, Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the ministry had commenced case and contact tracing while intensifying public awareness campaigns.
“There is a fresh case of Lassa fever in the state. Only one doctor has died. The victim was buried on Saturday, 20 June 2026,” Ogwuche said.
According to the commissioner, the state was on the verge of declaring the outbreak over after completing the required 42-day incubation period before the new case emerged.
He explained that the deceased had initially managed his illness at home and in a private hospital for more than two weeks before testing positive for Lassa fever.
“For over two weeks, he struggled with the illness. When there was no improvement, one of his friends suspected Lassa fever and conducted a test which came back positive,” Ogwuche
