Benue State strengthens Lassa fever response with WHO and partners' support, as focus shifts to protecting frontline workers

Makurdi, At the Lassa fever isolation centre in Makurdi, vigilance defines the standard of care. Every patient presenting with a persistent fever is managed carefully with enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC), not only to ensure timely and effective treatment but also to protect health workers and prevent further transmission.

"In recent weeks, we have seen a moderate increase in suspected cases, especially among patients with prolonged fever," said Nurse Priscila Agber of Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH). "With infections among health workers increasing, everyone is more alert."

Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria, with transmission peaking during the dry season. As of 22 March 2026, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 637 confirmed cases and 160 deaths nationwide.

At the same period, Benue State has reported 291 suspected cases, 50 confirmed cases, and 12 deaths, including 14 infections among health workers. While Benue ranks fourth nationally in terms of overall cases and deaths, it accounts for the highest number of health worker infections, representing 36% of the total reported in Nigeria.

This disproportionate burden of health workers' infections highlights critical gaps in facility-level IPC and underscores the need to strengthen protection for frontline health workers

From 2025 gaps to 2026 action
During the 2025 outbreak season, the state government, with World Health Organization (WHO) support, focused on community awareness, prevention, early detection, referral and IPC measures.

By the 2026 season, key gaps have become prominent, including weak IPC practices, delayed care-seeking, and limited protective supplies for health workers. This necessitated a focus on interventions to address these gaps.

With support from NCDC, WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and partners, the Benue State Government strengthened IPC in priority facilities through improved triage, enhanced hand hygiene infrastructure, improved waste management, and staff training aligned with national guidelines. Over 125 health workers were trained in case identification and IPC. Laboratories continue to process high volumes of samples for early detection.

To protect frontline health workers, WHO donated to state ministries of health and distributed IPC supplies, including gloves, gowns, masks, N95 respirators, and safety materials, to four facilities in the state where treatment takes place.

"WHO's technical guidance and supplies have improved how we work," Agber said. "We are more confident managing suspected cases safely."

Why infections among health workers persist
Gaps in training, consistent availability of PPEs as well as systemic and programmatic weaknesses in IPC interventions contributed to the high HCW infection rates witnessed in the State.

"Many patients including health workers arrive late after visiting multiple facilities without proper screening," said Dr Paul Asema, Benue State Epidemiologist. "This increases exposure risk, especially where IPC is not consistently applied."

Weaknesses in screening, triaging, isolation and adherence to IPC measures remain persistent across facilities in the State. The trend highlights a key gap: IPC practices are not yet uniformly implemented across all levels of care.

Communities are improving early detection.
Community engagement remains central to strengthening health security by enabling early detection, timely reporting and rapid response in line with Nigeria's National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). Building on 2025 efforts, WHO-supported activities continue in hotspot LGAs, promoting early care-seeking and infection prevention.

"In our community, people now understand the risk," said Mr Alfred Jande, a farmer in Makurdi LGA. "When fever persists, we seek care quickly."

Households report better food storage, less rodent exposure, and improved sanitation, which are essential for prevention. According to state authorities, these changes are enhancing early reporting and reducing delays, in line with Nigeria's National Action Plan for Health Security.

Strengthening response systems
The response is led by the Benue State Ministry of Health, NCDC, and supported by WHO and partners.
"The rise in infections among health workers shows that gaps remain in consistent IPC implementation across facilities," said Dr Abdulkarim, WHO State Coordinator. "Our priority is to support the government to close these gaps by strengthening supervision, ensuring availability and proper use of protective equipment, and reinforcing early detection systems to reduce exposure risks," said Dr Abdulkarim.

At the national level, WHO continues to support surveillance, laboratory systems and emergency coordination under the leadership of Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC. A recent joint mission by NCDC, WHO, UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) assessed treatment and laboratory capacity in Makurdi and reaffirmed government leadership.

Closing remaining gaps
Whilst progress has been made, states continue to experience key challenges. Health worker infections persist; IPC compliance is uneven and late patient presentation continues. Addressing these gaps requires stronger compliance with IPC practices, sustained health worker protection and continued community engagement.

Compared to 2025, Benue's response is more structured and better resourced with improved detection, higher awareness, and stronger systems. However, continued infections among health workers underscores the need to further reduce transmission, protect frontline workers and strengthen Nigeria's capacity to manage endemic diseases.