Stephenson Ojeifo, the Director of Public Health at the Edo State Ministry of Health, has announced that three suspected cases of Mpox have been identified in the state.
Although the cases have not been confirmed, Ojeifo urged residents to remain vigilant. The suspected cases are currently being treated at two hospitals in the state – Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.
Ojeifo explained that the ministry was taking a cautious approach by isolating the suspected cases and sending samples to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for testing.
According to him, the symptoms of Mpox were similar to other skin rashes, but the ministry was taking extra precautions to ensure proper management.
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The patients were reportedly in stable condition and were being isolated as part of the state’s enhanced surveillance measures.
Ojeifo also stated that the ministry has strengthened its surveillance across all healthcare centers in the state, including private and public facilities.
Edo State has previously managed cases of monkeypox, but Ojeifo stressed that the current situation was being taken more seriously in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centre for Disease Control’s alert.
Mpox is a viral disease that primarily spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal or by touching contaminated objects.
