Benue Records 31 Suspected Cases Of Mpox

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs Grace Wende, said the state has recorded 31 suspected cases of Mpox in five Local Government Areas including Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala and Guma.

Wende disclosed this on Thursday at Benue State Stakeholders engagement/ Town hall meeting on the Mpox Vaccination Rollout.

Wende who was represented by the State Immunisation Officer, SIO, Mr. Emmanuel Adega, pointed out that 10 suspected cases were recorded in Makurdi, eight in Katsina-Ala, seven in Gwer East, four in Guma and two in Ushongo LGAs.

She further stated that of the figures, one case has been confirmed in Gwer East, two cases in Katsina-Ala, three cases in Makurdi and one case in Guma LGAs.

According to her, these cases were recorded in June and samples were collected and taken to the Laboratory, and the results were released in July.

The secretary, however, urged all stakeholders to support the coming exercise and also ensure the prompt report of any suspected case of the disease for urgent attention by the health authorities.

Also speaking, the Social and Behaviour Change Health Consultant with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Victor Olaniyi, stated that Mpox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and other animals.

He also highlighted the symptoms of the disease including rashes that form blisters and then crust over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

Olaniyi, however, warned that the diseases could easily spread but assured that the vaccines are safe. He further noted that due to the limited numbers allocated to the state, the exercise would be targeting specific communities in the state.

“The vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Two doses are required for full protection. We must also continue to practice hygiene and avoid contact with people showing symptoms of Mpox,” Olaniyi said.

“As we speak, we have listed all the people who came into contact with the confirmed cases. Their names have been taken for vaccination after monitoring them for 43 days and they did not come down with the disease,” he added.

Benue Records 31 Suspected Cases Of Mpox is first published on The Whistler Newspaper