The Benue State Government has launched an investigation into a suspected case of Mpox reported in Konshisha Local Government Area, assuring residents that no outbreak has been confirmed in the state.
Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this on Saturday while reacting to reports of a suspected Mpox case at the Tyokula Achihi residence in Korinya, Konshisha LGA.
According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Health promptly activated its disease surveillance system in line with established public health protocols and deployed officials to the community for an immediate assessment.
In a statement issued to journalists in Makurdi, Ogwuche urged residents to remain calm and avoid concluding that every case of skin rash and fever is Mpox, explaining that similar symptoms could be caused by several other medical conditions.
He stressed that only laboratory testing can confirm a diagnosis of Mpox.
“The Director of Public Health was directed to liaise with the State Epidemiologist, who immediately deployed the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Konshisha Local Government Area to the reported location for on-the-ground assessment, case investigation and collection of appropriate clinical samples for laboratory testing,” the statement said.
Ogwuche emphasized that, at this stage, no Mpox outbreak has been confirmed in Benue State.
“It is important to emphasise that skin rashes and fever can result from several medical conditions, and laboratory confirmation is required before any diagnosis of Mpox can be made,” he added.
The commissioner noted that the state’s disease surveillance system remains active across all 23 local government areas to ensure early detection and rapid response to potential public health threats.
He said the ministry is collaborating closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other development partners to strengthen surveillance and response efforts.
Ogwuche appealed to residents to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
He advised anyone experiencing fever accompanied by unexplained skin rashes or blisters to report immediately to the nearest healthcare facility for proper medical evaluation and to avoid close physical contact with others until examined by medical professionals.
The commissioner assured residents that the government would provide updates as soon as laboratory results and the ongoing investigation are concluded.
He added that appropriate public health response measures would be implemented in accordance with national guidelines if the suspected case is confirmed as Mpox or any other disease of public health concern.
