By Ter Atii
National News – The Benue State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging an outbreak of Mpox in Konshisha Local Government Area, stating that no case of the disease has been confirmed in the state.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, explaining that the ministry activated its disease surveillance system immediately after receiving reports of a suspected Mpox case at Tyokula Achihi Residence in Korinya, Konshisha Local Government Area.
According to him, health officials were deployed to investigate the incident and collect clinical samples for laboratory analysis, stressing that only laboratory confirmation can establish a diagnosis of Mpox.
“At this stage, no Mpox outbreak has been confirmed in Benue State,” Ogwuche said. “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.”
The commissioner said the state’s disease surveillance system remains active across all 23 local government areas, adding that the ministry is collaborating 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 monitor the situation and respond promptly to any public health threat.
He urged residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
The ministry also advised anyone experiencing fever accompanied by unexplained rashes or blisters to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility for proper evaluation and treatment.
Ogwuche assured residents that the outcome of the ongoing investigation and laboratory tests would be made public once available, noting that appropriate response measures would be implemented immediately if Mpox or any other disease of public health importance is confirmed.
He commended members of the public for promptly reporting the suspected case, describing early reporting as critical to effective disease surveillance and emergency response.
The Benue State Government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of residents through continuous monitoring, timely public updates, and adherence to national public health guidelines.
