Benue probes suspected Mpox case

The Benue State government has launched an investigation into a suspected case of Mpox reported in Konshisha Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend, assured residents that no outbreak of the viral disease has been confirmed […]

The Benue State government has launched an investigation into a suspected case of Mpox reported in Konshisha Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend, assured residents that no outbreak of the viral disease has been confirmed in the state.

Ogwuche said his ministry, however activated its disease surveillance system immediately after reports emerged on social media of a suspected Mpox case at Tyokula Achihi Residence in Korinya city of Konshisha LGA.

He said the Director of Public Health was directed to liaise with the State Epidemiologist, who promptly deployed the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Konshisha to carry out field investigations, assess the suspected case and collect clinical samples for laboratory testing.

• Troops Repel Bandit Attack, Rescue 48 Victims in Zamfara
• Al-Mustapha Counters Ex-DSS Director, Insists Abacha Didn’t Die of Heart Attack

Ogwuche stressed that laboratory analysis was ongoing and that no Mpox outbreak had been confirmed in Benue, explaining that symptoms such as fever, skin rashes and blisters could be caused by several medical conditions.

He assured residents that the state’s disease surveillance system remained active across the 23 local government areas, with the ministry working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners to ensure prompt detection and response to public health threats.

The commissioner appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic, urging anyone experiencing fever accompanied by unexplained rashes or blisters to report to the nearest health facility for medical evaluation and avoid close physical contact pending assessment.

He commended members of the public for promptly reporting the suspected case, describing early reporting as critical to effective disease surveillance and response.

Ogwuche assured that the outcome of the investigation and laboratory findings would be made public as soon as they become available, adding that appropriate response measures would be activated immediately if Mpox or any other disease of public health importance is confirmed.