Mpox: Benue Records 4 Cases, Urges Self-Isolation in Homes
Four cases of the monkey pox (mpox) disease have been confirmed in Benue state.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Asema Msuega, made this disclosure to newsmen on Thursday.
Msuega revealed that there were still 20 unconfirmed cases of the disease in the state.
Of the four confirmed cases, three have been treated and discharged from the isolation centre.
According to the Epidemiologist, the fourth patient whose case was confirmed last Friday is stille receiving treatment in the isolation centre.
He revealed that some of the patients suspected of having the disease have been released from the isolation centre, while noting that not all isolation cases must be brought to the centres as some could self isolate at home.
“It’s not every case that we take to hospital for isolation. We advised some to self-isolate at home just like we were doing during the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The patients are being treated at the isolation centre of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
“For this year up-to-date, we have 20 suspected cases of monkey pox and four confirmed cases in Benúe State.
“Initially, we have three confirmed cases that were treated and discharged from the isolation centre, the fourth case was just confirmed last Friday from the reference laboratory.
“That patient is still in isolation and receiving treatment but responding well. Many of the suspected cases have also come out of isolation,” Msuega disclosed.
He revealed that the confirmed cases rose from Makurdi and Gwer West Local Government Areas of the state, while the suspected cases rose from Ushongo, Kastina-Ala, Gboko, Makurdi and Gwer West local government areas.
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“The most recent is from Gwer East whose sample we have sent to the laboratory and awaiting results before the end of this week,” Msuega said.
He lauded the efforts of the state at carrying out awareness programmes to enlighten residents of the disease in a bid to prevent and control it.
Some of the prevention and control measures, he said, include: washing of hands and avoiding making unnecessary contacts with people, especially those suspected of having the disease.
He advised residents to report suspected cases of mpox to the nearest health centres or hospitals in the state.
