Benue State has recorded four confirmed cases of monkeypox, with 20 additional suspected cases under investigation.
According to The PUNCH, this was disclosed by the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Asema Msuega, during a phone interview with journalists on Thursday.
According to Dr. Msuega, three of the confirmed patients have already been treated and discharged from the isolation center, while the fourth patient, confirmed last Friday, remains in isolation but is responding well to treatment.
“We currently have 20 suspected cases of monkeypox in Benue State this year, with four confirmed. Three of those confirmed cases have been discharged after successful treatment, and the fourth is still receiving care,” Dr. Msuega explained.
The epidemiologist also mentioned that not all suspected cases are admitted for isolation. “Some patients have been advised to self-isolate at home, similar to measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said, noting that the Benue State University Teaching Hospital is handling the cases requiring isolation.
Dr. Msuega highlighted that the confirmed cases were detected in Makurdi and Gwer West Local Government Areas, while suspected cases have emerged from five LGAs, including Ushongo, Katsina-Ala, Gboko, Makurdi, and Gwer West.
“The most recent suspected case is from Gwer East, and we are currently awaiting test results from the laboratory,” he added.
