Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Benue State has recorded 31 suspected cases of Mpox across five Local Government Areas — Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, and Guma — with seven of those cases confirmed through laboratory testing.
The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement and town hall meeting on the Mpox vaccination rollout held Thursday in Makurdi.
With Benue State now among the latest to report rising numbers, experts warn that prompt action, public awareness, and community vaccination are crucial to preventing a broader epidemic.
Nigeria remains among the African countries with recurring outbreaks, often linked to bushmeat consumption, poor sanitation, and limited health infrastructure.
Represented by the State Immunization Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Adega, she emphasized that the confirmed cases were detected in June, and their laboratory results were released in July.
“We have confirmed one case in Gwer East, two cases in Katsina-Ala, three cases in Makurdi, and one case in Guma LGAs,” she said.
Wende revealed that all individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases had been line-listed and closely monitored.
“We monitored them for 43 days, and they did not come down with the disease. Their names have now been taken for vaccination,” she added, explaining that the upcoming immunization campaign would be restricted to high-risk communities, not the entire state.
She urged local leaders and residents to cooperate fully and promptly report any suspected symptoms to health authorities for immediate response and containment.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Health Consultant, Victor Olaniyi, highlighted the dangers of Mpox, describing it as an infectious viral disease that can spread between humans and animals.
“Symptoms include rashes that form blisters and crust over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes,” he said, stressing the need for vigilance.
Olaniyi cautioned that while Mpox is highly transmissible, the available vaccines are safe and effective, though limited in supply. He said the vaccine — approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use — would be administered to individuals aged 18 and above in identified hotspots.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, re-emerged globally in 2022, prompting international concern.
