Benue State has recorded four confirmed cases of monkey pox, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Asema Msuega, told journalists on Thursday.
He also said there are 20 unconfirmed cases of the disease as of the last count.
According to Msuega, three of the four confirmed cases were treated and discharged from the isolation centre, saying the fourth case was confirmed last Friday, and that the fourth patient is still in the isolation centre where he is receiving treatment and responding well.
“The patients are being treated at the isolation centre of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, he disclosed.
Musega said, “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.”
He revealed that the confirmed cases were from Makurdi and Gwer West Local Government Areas while the suspected cases come from five local governments ; Ushongo, Kastina-Ala, Gboko, Makurdi and Gwer West.
“The most recent is from Gwer East whose sample we have sent to the laboratory and awaiting results before the end of this week,” he said.
The state epidemiologist noted that the state has embarked on massive awareness campaign to educate people about the disease and to imbibe basic prevention and control measures, such as; washing of hands, avoid unnecessary contacts with people, especially suspected people.
He stressed that early detection and reporting of suspected cases to the nearest health centres or hospital is crucial and helps prevent the disease from spreading.
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