The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has disclosed that it is investigating a suspected Mpox case in Korinya community, Konshisha LGA.
Dr. Paul Egwuche, Commissioner for Health, while addressing newsmen, disclosed that the ministry triggered its surveillance system after social media reports of a suspected case at a home in Korinya.
According to Egwuche, the Director of Public Health has instructed the State Epidemiologist to send a Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer to the area to assess the situation, investigate the case, and collect samples.
Here are 12 things you probably did not know about the Benue Mpox Outbreak:
1. 31 suspected cases across 5 LGAs
31 suspected Mpox cases have been reported across towns namely; Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, and Guma in Benue State. The breakdown: 10 in Makurdi, 8 in Katsina-Ala, 7 in Gwer East, 4 in Guma, and 2 in Ushongo.
2. 6-7 cases were confirmed, not all 31
Health officials confirmed 6 to 7 cases. Specifically: 3 in Makurdi, 2 in Katsina-Ala, 1 in Gwer East, and 1 in Guma.
3. Cases were recorded in June, results came in July
Samples from the June cases were sent to the lab and results were released the following month.
4. Benue had earlier cases too
In a separate earlier report, Benue had 4 confirmed and 20 suspected cases. Three were treated and discharged from Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
5. Vaccination is targeted, not statewide
The Mpox vaccination drive won’t cover all of Benue. It’s focused only on communities at higher risk of an outbreak.
6. 43-day monitoring for contacts
All people who came in contact with confirmed cases were line-listed, monitored for 43 days, and did not develop the disease. Those contacts are now scheduled for vaccination.
7. Home isolation was used, like COVID-19
Not every suspected case was taken to hospital. Some patients were advised to self-isolate at home, similar to COVID-19 protocols.
8. New investigation in Konshisha LGA
As of 1 day ago, Benue is investigating a suspected case in Konshisha LGA at Tyokula Achihi residence. Officials say no outbreak has been confirmed yet and lab testing is required.
9. Classic symptoms were highlighted by UNICEF
Symptoms include blistering rashes that crust over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Mpox can affect both humans and animals.
10. Benue is part of a wider national picture
Nationally, Nigeria recorded 67 confirmed cases out of 1,031 suspected cases across 23 states including FCT. Benue had 4 of those confirmed cases at that time.
11. Treatment happened at BSU Teaching Hospital
Confirmed patients were treated at the isolation centre of Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
12. Officials are pushing community reporting
The Benue State Primary Health Care Board urged stakeholders to support vaccination and report suspected cases quickly for swift intervention.
