Benue State health authorities have initiated extensive contact tracing efforts, identifying over 50 individuals following the forceful removal of a Lassa fever victim’s corpse. The incident occurred after a 54-year-old woman from Ogbadibo local government area succumbed to confirmed Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH). Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, confirmed that all identified contacts are now under strict surveillance to prevent further spread of the disease.

The ordeal began when a safe burial team, dispatched to follow World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines, was met with resistance. Agitated youths in the community forcefully seized the body, preventing immediate adherence to the critical burial protocols designed to contain infectious diseases. This act prompted a swift response from state officials.

A high-powered delegation, led by Commissioner Dr. Ogwuche, successfully intervened and retrieved the body. The deceased was subsequently given a safe and proper burial in Orokam, located within the Ogbadibo LGA, in accordance with public health guidelines. This intervention was crucial in mitigating the risk of wider transmission within the community.

In response to the incident, the Benue State Ministry of Health has significantly intensified surveillance operations across Ogbadibo and the neighboring Okpokwu local government areas. Hospital staff who had contact with the deceased, as well as community members, have been placed under medical observation. Dr. Ogwuche highlighted that health education sessions have been conducted in both Ogbadibo and Okpokwu LGAs. These sessions aim to enhance public awareness about Lassa fever, promote essential hygiene practices, and prevent panic among residents.

The Commissioner expressed gratitude for the cooperation received from local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and security operatives during this challenging time. He emphasized the government's firm stance against any actions by relatives or community members that could jeopardize public health, warning that such behaviors would not be tolerated. Dr. Ogwuche urged all residents to refrain from handling corpses of individuals suspected to have died from infectious diseases and to promptly report any instances of prolonged fever or unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.