Tension has spread across the Ogbadibo and neighboring Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue State, following the death of a 54-year-old woman who reportedly succumbed to Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
The fear in the affected areas heightened after a medical team from the state Ministry of Health visited the communities to trace contacts of those who had interacted with the deceased before her death. The woman, who hailed from Ogbadibo LGA, died on Sunday after laboratory tests confirmed the Lassa fever diagnosis.
Confrontation Over Safe Burial
The tragic situation escalated when community youths allegedly seized the woman’s remains, which had been taken to a private morgue in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA, during burial preparations.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed the incident to journalists on Thursday, stating he personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to the two local government areas to ensure public safety.
“During initial response efforts, the ministry’s Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial,” Dr. Ogwuche said.
He confirmed that the situation was resolved through swift dialogue: “Through dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was successfully retrieved and safely buried in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, by the State Safe Burial Team, in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.”
Hospital Closure and Investigation
Dr. Ogwuche added that he immediately ordered the closure of the private hospital and mortuary where the corpse had been kept. Both facilities are closed pending full decontamination, disinfection, and comprehensive epidemiological investigation.
The Ministry of Health continues its contact tracing efforts to prevent any further spread of the deadly viral disease in the region.
Source: Punch Online
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