Benue State has recorded 31 suspected cases of Mpox across five Local Government Areas (LGAs), with six cases confirmed by health authorities.
This was disclosed on Thursday by Mrs. Grace Wende, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, during a stakeholders’ meeting and town hall session on Mpox vaccination rollout in Makurdi.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Adega, the State Immunisation Officer who represented Mrs. Wende, the suspected cases were reported in Makurdi (10), Katsina-Ala (8), Gwer East (7), Guma (4), and Ushongo (2). Laboratory tests later confirmed one case in Gwer East, two in Katsina-Ala, three in Makurdi, and one in Guma.
“These cases were recorded in June, and the results came back in July,” she said. “All contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified, tracked, and monitored for 43 days without symptoms. These individuals will now be vaccinated.”
Mrs. Wende explained that due to the limited supply of vaccines, the Mpox immunization campaign would focus only on communities identified as high-risk, rather than the entire state. She called on community leaders and health workers to report any suspected cases promptly and support the vaccination effort.
Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, is a contagious viral disease that spreads through close contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes that turn into blisters.
Speaking at the meeting, UNICEF Health Consultant Victor Olaniyi described Mpox as highly infectious but preventable. He confirmed that the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the vaccine for emergency use.
“The vaccine is safe, effective, and free,” he said. “It will be given to people aged 18 and above, in two doses for full protection. Good hygiene and avoiding contact with infected individuals remain key to prevention.”
Benue health officials and UNICEF urged the public to remain calm, follow safety guidelines, and report any suspected Mpox symptoms for timely treatment and containment.
