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The Benue State Government has ruled out an Mpox outbreak in Korinya Community, Konshisha Local Government Area, saying a suspected case was confirmed to be chickenpox (varicella) after a medical investigation.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, announced the findings in a statement issued on Monday, following an investigation launched after a suspected Mpox case was reported last week.
According to the commissioner, the investigation was carried out by the ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, the State Epidemiology Unit, and the Disease Surveillance and Notification System.
“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,” Ogwuche said.
He explained that investigators examined two adults who had developed fever followed by blister-like skin rashes.
Both patients had already received treatment at a private health facility and were recovering 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 said.
Ogwuche noted that both patients had dry, crusted skin lesions, indicating a self-limiting viral illness.
He also said they did not have lesions on the palms, soles, or inside the mouth, which are common signs of Mpox.
The commissioner added that investigators found no known contact between the patients and any confirmed or suspected Mpox case, making the possibility of an Mpox infection unlikely.
