Edo reports three suspected pox cases, says official
The Edo State government says it has recorded three suspected cases of Mpox while giving the latest updates on the disease.
This was announced by Stephenson Ojeifo, the director of public health at the Edo State Ministry of Health while taking questions from journalists in the state.
Mr Ojeifo said that although none of the cases had been confirmed as positive, residents of the state should be vigilant.
He said, “We have three suspected cases of mpox; two patients are in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, and one is at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.”
Mr Ojeifo explained that while the symptoms of mpox resembled those of other skin rashes, the ministry maintained a high level of caution by isolating the suspected cases for proper management.
“We make sure that any suspected case is isolated while we send samples to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for testing.
“So, until the results of the tests are out, we cannot say we have any case of Mpox,” Mr Ojeifo said.
Mr. Ojeifo provided reassurance that the patients’ conditions are not critical, but are being isolated as part of the state’s enhanced surveillance protocols.
He also highlighted the ministry’s strengthened surveillance measures across various healthcare settings, including private, public, and primary care facilities.
Noting Edo’s past experience in managing monkeypox cases, Mr. Ojeifo stressed that the current situation warrants a more serious response, in line with the elevated alert levels issued by the WHO and Africa Centre for Disease Control.
Mpox, a viral disease, is primarily spread through close contact with infected individuals or animals or by touching contaminated objects.
