The Benue State Government has commenced investigations into a suspected case of Mpox reported in Konshisha Local Government Area, assuring residents that no outbreak has been confirmed.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said the state immediately activated its disease surveillance system and deployed health officials to the affected community for assessment, case investigation, and collection of clinical samples for laboratory testing.
He emphasised that symptoms such as fever and skin rashes could be linked to several medical conditions, noting that only laboratory results can confirm a diagnosis of Mpox.
Ogwuche also disclosed that the state’s disease surveillance network remains active across all 23 local government areas, with the Ministry of Health 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 rapid detection and response to public health threats.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and report anyone experiencing fever accompanied by unexplained rashes or blisters to the nearest health facility for prompt medical evaluation.
