Benue State Investigates Suspected Mpox Case in Konshisha

The Benue State Government has initiated an investigation into a suspected case of Mpox reported in the Konshisha Local Government Area. Dr Paul Ogwuche, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, announced this on Saturday, detailing that the ministry activated its surveillance system and dispatched officials to the area for assessment.

He emphasized the necessity of laboratory confirmation before diagnosing any case as Mpox, noting that symptoms like skin rashes and fever could stem from various medical conditions. The Director of Public Health was instructed to coordinate with the State Epidemiologist and deploy the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) to conduct on-site evaluations and collect clinical samples.

Currently, no Mpox outbreak has been confirmed in Benue State. The ministry is collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organisation to ensure effective public health responses.

Residents are advised to report any symptoms to health facilities and refrain from spreading unverified information.