The Benue State Government has shut down a privately-owned mortuary in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area, after some community youths violated public health rules by depositing the body of a confirmed Lassa fever patient in the facility.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed the development on Thursday in Makurdi. He said the action was taken to prevent the possible spread of the deadly disease and to ensure full compliance with safety protocols.
According to Dr. Ogwuche, the deceased, a 54-year-old woman from Ogbadibo Local Government Area, died at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi. Laboratory tests later confirmed that she had contracted Lassa fever before her death.
The commissioner said that when officials from the Ministry of Health attempted to carry out a safe burial in line with health guidelines, some angry youths resisted. They reportedly attacked the burial team, seized the body, and later deposited it in the private mortuary at Ugbokolo, defying all Lassa fever control procedures.
He said he immediately led a government response team to Okpokwu and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas to calm tensions, retrieve the corpse, and contain any possible spread of infection.
“We promptly organized a coordinated response involving community leaders, local authorities, and security agencies. The team recovered the corpse, which has now been safely buried in Orokam, following World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines,” Dr. Ogwuche explained.
He announced that the private hospital and mortuary involved in the incident have been sealed pending proper disinfection and decontamination. The facility, he said, will remain closed until a complete epidemiological assessment is carried out by public health experts.
“All individuals who had close contact with the deceased, including medical staff and community members, have been identified, traced, and placed under observation,” he said. “The safety of the public remains our top priority, and the government will not tolerate any act that endangers lives.”
The commissioner noted that the swift intervention by the state government and security agencies helped prevent what could have been a serious public health emergency. He said officials from the ministry are now working with the WHO and NCDC to strengthen surveillance and health education in the affected communities.
Dr. Ogwuche also warned against acts of ignorance or defiance that could worsen the spread of infectious diseases. He reminded residents that handling the remains of anyone suspected to have died from a communicable disease poses a major health risk.
“We appeal to our people to avoid direct contact with corpses, especially when the cause of death is not clearly known. Anyone with persistent fever, bleeding, or other symptoms should go to the nearest hospital immediately,” he said.
He further urged community and religious leaders to support government efforts in promoting public health awareness and to help ensure compliance with disease prevention measures.
Lassa fever is a viral infection transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rats. It can also spread from person to person through direct contact with the blood, urine, or other body fluids of infected individuals.
The disease is endemic in parts of Nigeria, including Benue State, where occasional outbreaks have been recorded over the years. Symptoms include high fever, weakness, bleeding from the gums or nose, and in severe cases, organ failure.
Health authorities often highlight that safe burial practices are crucial to stopping the spread of Lassa fever. The WHO and NCDC recommend that only trained health professionals, equipped with protective gear, should handle and bury confirmed cases.
The Benue State Ministry of Health has been on high alert since the latest case emerged. Officials say public awareness campaigns are ongoing to educate residents about how to identify symptoms and report suspected cases promptly.
Meanwhile, the closure of the Ugbokolo mortuary has sparked conversations across the state, with many residents calling for stricter monitoring of private health facilities. Some community members have also praised the government’s swift action, saying it prevented what could have been a dangerous outbreak.
Dr. Ogwuche concluded by reassuring residents that the state government remains committed to protecting lives. He called on everyone to cooperate with health workers and avoid spreading false information about the disease.
“Lassa fever is preventable if people follow simple hygiene rules,” he said. “Store food properly, keep your environment clean, and report any unusual illness early. Together, we can stop the spread.”
The Benue State Government has also advised the public to contact the nearest health facility or the Ministry of Health’s emergency line in case of any suspected Lassa fever case.
