Lassa fever: 20 die in Benue

The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) has treated approximately 300 cases of Lassa fever since the recent outbreak in the country.

Dr Stephen Hwande, the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, disclosed this during a press briefing in Makurdi, where he highlighted the hospital’s improved service delivery as a key factor in the successful treatment of Lassa fever cases.

Among the about 300 Lassa fever cases handled at the facility, less than 20 patients unfortunately passed away, while only five individuals are currently receiving treatment in the isolated ward.

Hwande said, “We treated close to 300 cases of Lassa fever. We lost less than 20 people. The peak of the epidemic has passed, and now we have less than five people under admission.”

The CMD also stated that the hospital recently recruited 400 staff members to enhance its human resources for better services.

This recruitment drive, he said, aimed to address key areas of need within the hospital, such as neurosurgery, paediatrics, plastic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, optometry, dentistry, physiotherapy, radiology and nursing.