Dr. Stephenson Ojeifo, Director of Public Health at the Edo State Ministry of Health, has reported three suspected cases of Mpox in the state. Although none of the cases have been confirmed, Dr. Ojeifo urged residents to remain vigilant. Two of the suspected cases are being treated at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, while the third is at Edo State University Teaching Hospital in Auchi.
Ojeifo noted that while the symptoms of Mpox are similar to other skin rashes, the ministry is taking precautions by isolating the patients and sending samples to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for testing. He assured the public that the patients are not in critical condition and are being managed as part of the state’s enhanced surveillance measures.
The Ministry of Health has also increased surveillance across private, public, and primary healthcare centers and is working with local government health educators to raise public awareness about the symptoms of Mpox. Ojeifo emphasized that although Edo has successfully managed previous cases of Monkeypox, the current situation is being handled with heightened caution in line with alerts from the WHO and Africa Centre for Disease Control.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close contact with an infected person or animal, or by touching contaminated objects. It can cause serious complications, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, but most cases are mild and recover without treatment. The disease is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a distinctive rash that develops into small, fluid-filled blisters and eventually forms scabs.
Infection prevention and control measures include regular hand hygiene, disinfecting surfaces and objects, proper waste management, and practising respiratory hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes and using masks in crowded areas.