Makurdi, Nigeria — Benue State has recorded 31 suspected cases of Mpox across five Local Government Areas (LGAs), with seven cases confirmed by health authorities. The affected LGAs include Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, and Guma.
The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, made this known on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement and town hall meeting on the rollout of Mpox vaccination in the state. She was represented by the State Immunization Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Adega.
According to Wende, the suspected cases were reported as follows: Makurdi (10), Katsina-Ala (8), Gwer East (7), Guma (4), and Ushongo (2). Out of these, laboratory results confirmed seven positive cases — three in Makurdi, two in Katsina-Ala, one in Gwer East, and one in Guma. The samples were collected in June, and the results were released in July.
“All individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases have been line-listed,” she said. “They were monitored for 43 days and have remained symptom-free. They are now scheduled for vaccination.”
She emphasized that the Mpox vaccination campaign will not be implemented across the entire state but will focus on communities identified as high-risk for potential outbreaks. She called on community leaders, health workers, and residents to support the exercise and to promptly report any suspected cases to relevant health authorities.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Victor Olaniyi, a Social and Behaviour Change Health Consultant with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), described Mpox as a contagious viral disease that can affect both humans and animals. He highlighted its symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that evolves into blisters before crusting over.
Olaniyi noted that although the virus spreads easily through contact with infected persons or contaminated materials, the available vaccines are safe and effective. He added that due to limited vaccine supply, only individuals aged 18 and above in identified high-risk communities will be vaccinated.
“The vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use,” he said. “It is administered in two doses and is completely free. However, vaccination must go hand-in-hand with continued hygiene practices and avoidance of contact with symptomatic individuals.”
Health authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperative, assuring that the state government is taking all necessary steps to prevent further spread of the disease.
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