By Cheta Enyoghasi
The Akwa Ibom State Government has reported five cases of Mpox, formerly known as Monkey Pox, in the state.
The Ministry of Health’s disease surveillance and notification officer, Samuel Etuk, confirmed the cases.
The cases were reported in some local government areas and were collected from 30 samples for diagnosis. The cases were categorized into three males and one female, aged two, four, 12, and 41 years.
Etuk revealed this on Friday in Uyo during a media review meeting organized by Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in partnership with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP), stating that the four confirmed cases were drawn from a total of 30 samples gathered for diagnosis.
The contact tracing for transmission was conducted while affected persons were placed on isolation. He also engaged 10 community informants per ward to work in catchment areas and report to the health facility focal person.
He encouraged the public to report suspected cases at the nearest health facility or call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Edumnews.com gathered that the World Health Organization (WHO) had on August 14, 2024 declared Mpox a Global Public Health Emergency of International Concern after reviewing available data.
