The Benue State Government has dismissed concerns over a possible Mpox outbreak in Korinya Community, Konshisha Local Government Area, saying an investigation confirmed that the suspected case was actually chickenpox (varicella).
According to The Punch, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, made this known in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The ministry had on Friday announced that it was probing a suspected Mpox case reported in the community.
Providing an update on the investigation, Ogwuche said the ministry, through its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, the State Epidemiology Unit and the Disease Surveillance and Notification System, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the reported case.
He said, “The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to state that, based on the findings available at this time, there is no evidence of an Mpox outbreak in Korinya Community, Konshisha LGA.”
According to the commissioner, investigators identified two adults in Korinya Community who had developed fever before experiencing widespread skin rashes with blister-like lesions affecting the face, chest, back and other parts of the body.
He explained that both patients had already received treatment at a private health facility in Korinya and were showing significant signs of recovery before the investigation team arrived.
“Both individuals had sought treatment at a private health facility in Korinya and had shown marked clinical improvement before the investigation team arrived.
“Following a detailed clinical assessment, the presentation was found to be more consistent with chickenpox (varicella) than Mpox,” the statement read.
Ogwuche said the conclusion was reached after investigators observed that the illness followed the typical pattern associated with chickenpox, with both patients recovering and their skin lesions already dried and crusted, indicating a self-limiting viral infection.
He also noted that the patients did not have lesions on the palms, soles or oral mucous membranes, which are commonly associated with Mpox.
The commissioner added that investigators found no history of contact with any confirmed or suspected Mpox patient, further reducing the likelihood that the illness was Mpox.
