The Benue State Government has commenced investigations into a suspected case of Mpox reported in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this on Saturday while responding to reports of a suspected case at the Tyokula Achihi residence in Korinya, Konshisha LGA.

Ogwuche said the ministry immediately activated its surveillance system in line with established public health protocols and deployed officials to the area.

In a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi, the commissioner urged residents not to jump to conclusions whenever skin rashes and fever occur, noting that the symptoms could result from several medical conditions.

He stressed that laboratory confirmation was required before any case could be diagnosed as Mpox.

The statement read in part, “The Director of Public Health was directed to liaise with the State Epidemiologist, who in turn immediately deployed the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Konshisha Local Government Area to the reported location for on-the-ground assessment, case investigation and collection of appropriate clinical samples for laboratory testing.

“At this stage, no Mpox outbreak has been confirmed in Benue State. It is important to emphasise that skin rashes and fever can result from several medical conditions, and laboratory confirmation is required before any diagnosis of Mpox can be made.”

The commissioner said the state disease surveillance system remained active across all 23 local government areas.

He added that the ministry was working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation and other development partners to ensure prompt detection and response to public health events.

Ogwuche urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic.

“We encourage anyone experiencing fever accompanied by unexplained rashes or blisters to report immediately to the nearest health facility for proper medical evaluation and to avoid close physical contact until assessed by healthcare professionals,” the statement added.

The commissioner said the ministry would continue to keep the public informed as soon as the investigation and laboratory findings became available.

He added that appropriate response measures would be implemented in line with national guidelines if the results confirmed Mpox or any other disease of public health importance. (The PUNCH)