Benue State has recorded an outbreak of Mpox with 31 suspected cases reported across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) — Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, and Guma — with seven cases now confirmed, health authorities announced on Thursday.
The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, made the disclosure during a Stakeholders Engagement and Townhall Meeting held in Makurdi, focused on the Mpox Vaccination Rollout in the state.
Speaking through the State Immunization Officer (SIO), Mr. Emmanuel Adega, Wende provided a breakdown of the suspected and confirmed cases. She said that of the 31 suspected cases:
- Makurdi recorded 10 suspected cases,
- Katsina-Ala had 8,
- Gwer East reported 7,
- Guma recorded 4, and
- Ushongo had 2 suspected cases.
Of these, seven cases have been laboratory-confirmed:
- 3 in Makurdi,
- 2 in Katsina-Ala,
- 1 in Gwer East, and
- 1 in Guma.
“These cases were recorded in June, and laboratory results confirming them were received in July,” Mrs. Wende explained. “We have since line-listed all individuals who came into contact with the confirmed cases. They were monitored for 43 days, and none have shown symptoms of the disease. They will now be vaccinated.”
Targeted Vaccination Strategy
Wende emphasized that the Mpox vaccination programme will be targeted, not statewide, and will focus on high-risk communities where the likelihood of further spread is significant.
“We are not rolling this out across the entire state. Only communities that are at risk of an outbreak will be vaccinated. It’s important that stakeholders in these areas support the rollout, report any suspected case promptly, and help prevent further spread,” she urged.
UNICEF Expert Warns Against Complacency
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Victor Olaniyi, a Social and Behaviour Change Health Consultant with UNICEF, cautioned the public about the contagious nature of Mpox. He described it as an infectious viral disease that can affect both humans and animals.
“Mpox symptoms include fever, rashes that develop into blisters, and swollen lymph nodes,” Olaniyi said. “It can spread easily, particularly through close contact with an infected person, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials.”
He added that the vaccine — approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) — would be administered free of charge to individuals aged 18 and above, with two doses required for full protection.
“The vaccine is safe and effective, but it is not a substitute for good hygiene. We must continue to wash hands regularly, avoid direct contact with symptomatic individuals, and report any suspected case immediately,” Olaniyi said.
State Government Urges Vigilance
Authorities are urging the public to remain calm but vigilant. Health workers are on alert, and isolation protocols are in place for any new confirmed cases. With Mpox declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in 2022, Benue’s health officials say this localized outbreak is being taken seriously and monitored closely.
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