JUST IN – Outbreak Watch: Benue Confirms Mpox Cases, Launches Targeted Jabs

Health authorities in Benue State have reported 31 suspected cases of Mpox across five Local Government Areas (LGAs), with six of those cases confirmed.

The affected LGAs, accordint to vanguardngr, include Makurdi, Ushongo, Gwer East, Katsina-Ala, and Guma.

This development was disclosed on Thursday during a stakeholder engagement and town hall meeting organized to discuss the rollout of Mpox vaccinations in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, made the announcement through the State Immunisation Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Adega, who represented her at the meeting.

According to Mr. Adega, Makurdi recorded the highest number of suspected cases with 10.

It is followed by Katsina-Ala with eight, Gwer East with seven, Guma with four, and Ushongo with two.

Laboratory analysis confirmed one Mpox case in Gwer East, two in Katsina-Ala, three in Makurdi, and one in Guma, all of which were detected from samples collected in June, with results released in July.

He emphasized that comprehensive contact tracing had already been carried out.

All individuals who had direct contact with the confirmed cases were monitored for 43 days.

None of them exhibited symptoms during the observation period, and they have since been scheduled for vaccination.

Mrs. Wende noted that the upcoming Mpox vaccination campaign would not be implemented across the entire state.

Instead, it would focus on communities identified as high-risk zones for potential outbreaks.

She urged community leaders, health workers, and the general public to actively support the campaign.

The general public is also urged to report any suspected Mpox cases promptly so health authorities can act swiftly to contain the disease.

Providing more insight into the nature of the virus, Mr. Victor Olaniyi, a Social and Behaviour Change Consultant with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), explained that Mpox is a viral disease that affects both humans and some animals.

He described common symptoms as including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters and later crusts over.

Olaniyi cautioned that Mpox can spread easily through close contact with infected individuals or animals.

However, he reassured stakeholders that the vaccine set to be deployed in Benue is both safe and effective.

Because of the limited number of doses available, he explained, the vaccination effort will prioritize specific high-risk communities rather than the entire population.

The vaccine, which has received emergency use authorization from the World Health Organization (WHO), is intended for adults aged 18 and older.

Two doses are required for full protection, and recipients are advised to maintain proper hygiene and avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of the disease.

“This vaccine is free, approved for emergency use, and essential in preventing the spread of Mpox.

But we must also complement it with preventive measures like good hygiene practices and early reporting of cases,” Olaniyi stated.

The town hall meeting also served as a platform for health officials to brief stakeholders on the vaccination rollout strategy.

This is while reinforcing the importance of timely detection and community cooperation in managing potential outbreaks.

Benue’s targeted approach reflects a broader national and global trend in dealing with Mpox, which reemerged in multiple countries in recent years.

Nigerian health authorities continue to work closely with international partners like UNICEF and WHO.

This is to ensure that affected regions receive the necessary resources and technical support to manage and contain the disease.

As preparations for the vaccination drive intensify, the Benue State Primary Health Care Board is calling on residents to remain vigilant and adhere to health guidelines.

They are also expected to collaborate with health teams in their communities.

With effective surveillance, community engagement, and a targeted immunization campaign, officials are hopeful that the spread of Mpox can be curtailed before it escalates into a wider public health emergency.