MSF Ramps Up Emergency Response as Lassa Fever Outbreak Deepens in Benue

MSF Ramps Up Emergency Response as Lassa Fever Outbreak Deepens in Benue

By: Michael Mike

A worsening Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State has triggered an urgent intervention by international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), as rising infections and deaths place severe pressure on already stretched health facilities.

Working in collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of Health, MSF has deployed emergency teams to reinforce infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, following a surge in cases that has exposed critical gaps in healthcare safety systems—particularly affecting frontline workers.

Official data indicate that as of mid-March, the state recorded 410 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 60 confirmed infections and 14 deaths. Disturbingly, 14 healthcare workers are among those infected, raising serious concerns about inadequate protective measures within treatment centres.

The situation reflects a broader national crisis. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that Nigeria has recorded 167 deaths from Lassa fever in the first 13 weeks of 2026 alone, with a case fatality rate of 25.2 per cent—significantly higher than the 18.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

Benue State formally declared the outbreak on February 3, 2026, as infections escalated across communities in what is already recognised as one of Nigeria’s high-risk zones for the disease.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in Nigeria, typically peaks between November and April. It is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, but can also spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons—making healthcare settings particularly vulnerable when safety protocols are weak.

Responding to the emergency, MSF launched a three-month intervention in March aimed at containing the outbreak and preventing further transmission. The mission was initiated at the request of state authorities, especially in light of rising infections among health workers and persistent shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Healthcare workers and patients are at significant risk when infection prevention measures are not fully in place,” said MSF Emergency Coordinator, Juniper Gordon. “Strengthening IPC and improving the organisation of care are critical to reducing transmission in health facilities.”

MSF teams are now providing hands-on support in selected facilities, focusing on strengthening clinical practices and improving patient management systems. This includes training healthcare workers on IPC protocols, reorganising triage processes, and establishing clearly defined high-risk and low-risk zones to limit cross-infection.

The organisation is also supplying essential materials, including PPE, hygiene kits, and sanitation supplies, while reinforcing waste management systems and infection control procedures. Handwashing stations are being installed across supported facilities, and surveillance efforts are being strengthened through improved data collection and monitoring.

In a move to support patient welfare, MSF is also providing food assistance to individuals in isolation centres, helping to ease the burden on affected families.

MSF said it is coordinating closely with global and national partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the NCDC, to scale up response efforts and curb the spread of the disease.

Despite these interventions, public health experts warn that the outbreak underscores deeper systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in infection control preparedness and rapid response capacity.

MSF Ramps Up Emergency Response as Lassa Fever Outbreak Deepens in Benue