BENUE CONFIRMS 31 SUSPECTED MPOX CASES ACROSS FIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Benue State has recorded 31 suspected Mpox cases across five LGAs: Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, and Guma.
The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, revealed this on Thursday during the Benue State Stakeholders’ Engagement and Town Hall Meeting on the Mpox Vaccination Rollout.
She noted that six of the reported cases have been officially confirmed.
Represented by the State Immunisation Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Adega, she disclosed that there were 10 unconfirmed cases in Makurdi, eight in Katsina-Ala, seven in Gwer East, four in Guma, and two in Ushongo LGAs.
According to her, “Out of these figures, we confirmed one case in Gwer East, two in Katsina-Ala, three in Makurdi, and one in Guma LGAs.
These cases were recorded in June, and samples were collected and sent to the laboratory, with results released in July.”
Mrs. Wende added that all individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases have been identified, their names recorded, and they have been monitored for 43 days without developing the disease.
These contacts are now scheduled to receive vaccinations.
She emphasized that the upcoming Mpox vaccination drive would not be conducted throughout the entire state but would instead focus on communities at higher risk of an outbreak.
The Executive Secretary called on all relevant stakeholders to actively support the vaccination campaign and urged timely reporting of any suspected Mpox cases to enable swift intervention by health officials.
During his presentation, UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Health Consultant, Victor Olaniyi, explained that “Mpox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and other animals.”
He described the disease’s symptoms, which include blistering rashes that eventually crust, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Olaniyi warned that Mpox is highly contagious but assured the public of the vaccine’s safety.
He explained that, due to the limited number of doses allocated to the state, the immunization campaign will focus on selected communities.
He added that the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the vaccine for emergency use and that it will be administered to individuals aged 18 and above.
“The vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Two doses are required for full protection. We must also maintain good hygiene and avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of Mpox,” Olaniyi stated.
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