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Benue Lassa fever outbreak kills 10 health workers, including five doctors
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State records 45 confirmed Lassa fever cases out of 250 suspected infections
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Rising infections linked to poor infection control and possible human transmission
The Benue State Government has confirmed that 10 health workers, including five medical doctors, have died following a Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
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According to the state epidemiologist, Asema Msuega, about 250 suspected cases have been recorded, with 45 cases confirmed through laboratory tests. He described the high infection rate among health workers as alarming, noting that it suggests possible human-to-human transmission.
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The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, visited the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi to assess the situation as infections continue to rise.
Health authorities attributed the spread partly to gaps in infection prevention and control practices in medical facilities.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Stephen Hwande, urged residents to follow safety guidelines, adding that precautionary measures have been strengthened to curb further transmission.
The outbreak comes amid increasing Lassa fever cases across Nigeria, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reporting rising infections in several states.
