Benue Investigates Suspected Mpox Outbreak in Konshisha LG

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has said it has begun an investigation into a suspected mpox outbreak in Korinya community, located in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state.

According to The Nation, this was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Egwuche, who said the ministry activated its surveillance system after reports circulated on social media about a suspected case at a residence in Korinya.

He revealed that the Director of Public Health directed the State Epidemiologist to deploy a Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer to the location for assessment, case investigation, and sample collection.

“At this stage, no mpox outbreak has been confirmed in Benue State. Skin rashes and fever can result from several medical conditions, and laboratory confirmation is required before any diagnosis is made,” Dr Egwuche said.

He said the state government, under Governor Hyacinth Alia, places high priority on protecting residents’ health and that the surveillance system was active across all 23 local government areas in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The ministry appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. It urged anyone with fever and unexplained rashes or blisters to report to the nearest health facility and avoid close contact with others until assessed.

Dr Egwuche commended the community for prompt reporting, saying early detection was essential for an effective response. The ministry said it would keep the public informed as laboratory findings become available.

TVC News Online reports that the first cases of mpox were identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970 before the disease spread to a number of other African countries.