Benue Investigates Suspected Mpox Cases in Konshisha Following Community Distress Call

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has launched an investigation into reports of suspected Mpox cases in Korinya, Konshisha Local Government Area, after residents raised concerns over an unidentified skin disease affecting several people in the community.

The state government said it immediately activated its disease surveillance system after reports emerged on social media alleging a possible outbreak of Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

The alarm was raised by residents of Tyokula Achihi Residence along Km 2 Vandeikya Road in Korinya, who, in a public appeal dated July 25, 2026, said several young men and women had developed symptoms including severe skin rashes, fever and blister-like lesions on their faces, chests, backs and other parts of their bodies.

According to the residents, many of those affected live within the same compound, raising fears that the illness could spread beyond the immediate community if urgent intervention is not provided.

In a statement signed by Shadrach Mtsor on behalf of the community, residents appealed to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health, the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), UNICEF, the Nigerian Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to urgently investigate the cases.

"We are making a desperate public appeal for immediate medical intervention over a suspected outbreak of M-Pox in our community. Many of the affected persons are staff and residents within the same compound and have no access to proper diagnosis, isolation or treatment. We fear this could spread to the wider Korinya community and beyond if not contained now," the statement said.

The residents requested the immediate deployment of a rapid response medical team to assess and test suspected cases, provide isolation materials, personal protective equipment and hygiene supplies, offer free treatment to affected persons, conduct public health education campaigns and, if necessary, temporarily close and decontaminate the affected premises.

"Our community is poor and cannot handle this alone. The victims are isolated in their rooms without medical care. We are scared. We appeal to all well-meaning bodies, NGOs and government agencies to come to our aid before this becomes a bigger epidemic," the statement added.

Reacting to the reports, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said the ministry immediately activated established public health response mechanisms after becoming aware of the suspected cases.

According to him, the Director of Public Health was instructed to work with the State Epidemiologist, who subsequently deployed the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for Konshisha Local Government Area to carry out an on-the-ground assessment.

The surveillance team has been tasked with investigating the suspected cases and collecting clinical samples for laboratory testing.

However, the commissioner stressed that no Mpox outbreak has been confirmed in Benue State.

"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," Ogwuche said.

He assured residents that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia remains committed to protecting public health, noting that disease surveillance is active across all 23 local government areas in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and other development partners.

The commissioner urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information capable of causing panic.

He also advised anyone experiencing fever accompanied by unexplained rashes or blister-like lesions to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest healthcare facility and avoid close physical contact until properly evaluated by health professionals.

Ogwuche commended members of the Korinya community for promptly reporting the suspected cases, describing early notification as essential for effective disease surveillance and emergency response.

He assured residents that the outcome of the investigation would be made public once laboratory results become available.

"If the suspected cases are confirmed to be Mpox or any other disease of public health concern, the ministry will immediately implement appropriate response measures in line with national public health guidelines," he said.