The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has convened a strategic meeting with major stakeholders and development partners to step up its response to the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
The gathering, held on Thursday, the 5th of March, 2026, brought together health experts and representatives of partner organisations working with the state government to contain the spread of the disease.
During the session, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, welcomed the delegates and expressed appreciation for their sustained involvement in the state’s public health response.
He explained that the meeting was prompted by the continuous increase in Lassa fever infections recorded since the state officially confirmed the outbreak on the 3rd of February, 2026.
According to the commissioner, coordinated action among partners remains vital to managing the situation and protecting communities across the state.
“We appreciate the presence and commitment of our partners who have continued to support Benue State in addressing this outbreak.
Through collaboration, we can strengthen our response and safeguard the health of our people,” Ogwuche said.
Participants at the meeting included representatives from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), all of whom are supporting the state’s emergency response efforts.
During the meeting, the WHO presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the ministry to aid health workers attending to both suspected and confirmed cases.
The materials are expected to reinforce infection prevention measures and protect frontline medical staff handling the outbreak.
Officials from the WHO also highlighted the urgency of reducing infections among healthcare workers and strengthening safety procedures in health facilities across the state.
The NCDC, on its part, reported that earlier evaluations revealed weaknesses in surveillance systems, case management and infection prevention practices in some health centres. The agency advised the state to adopt focused interventions to strengthen its response framework.
UNICEF disclosed plans to scale up public awareness campaigns and community engagement programmes. The initiative will focus on encouraging residents to promptly report symptoms and follow preventive guidelines.
READ ALSO: Benue Confirms Lassa Fever Outbreak As Death Toll Reaches Four
Médecins Sans Frontières reaffirmed its commitment to providing both technical expertise and operational support to help address immediate and long-term challenges linked to the outbreak.
Ogwuche thanked the partners for their contributions and restated the state government’s determination to improve coordination and address gaps within the healthcare system.
He noted that the ongoing efforts support the broader health agenda of Governor Hyacinth Alia, which prioritises stronger healthcare delivery and better living conditions for residents.
The partners also agreed to deepen collaboration, broaden technical assistance and introduce measures aimed at bringing the outbreak under control.
As part of the ongoing response activities, stakeholders carried out inspections of designated isolation centres and molecular laboratories in the state to evaluate their readiness and determine areas requiring urgent attention.