Akwa Ibom State government has given an update on the outbreak of Monkey Pox (Mpox), saying it has recorded five cases reported in some local government areas.
It was gathered that a total of 30 samples were collected for diagnosis where the four cases were confirmed among three males and a female, ranging from two, four, 12 and 41 years of age.
Samuel Etuk, disease surveillance and notification officer who is with the state Ministry of Health had earlier announced the confirmation of the four cases but has confirmed additional one case.
Etuk confirmed the first four cases during the Media Review Meeting organised by the Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in collaboration with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme(STBLCP), held in Uyo, the state capital.
On a WhatsApp group, he announced the confirmation of the additional new case.
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“Good morning, everyone. We have another positive case of Mpox bringing the tally to 5 confirmed cases in the state,” he said.
He had reported that contact tracing for any transmission was conducted while the affected persons had been placed on isolation.
He also said that 10 community informants had been engaged per ward to work in catchment areas, reporting to the health facility focal person who in turn would forward same to the local government disease surveillance and notification officers for an onward report to the Ministry of Health.
Mpox spread from animal to animal and called, zoonotic while man to man is transmitted directly or indirectly through urine, faces, blood, sexual contact, broken skin, eyes, nose, mouth, contact with skin lesions and oral secretions.
The disease symptom lasts 5-21 days incubation period and includes headache, swollen lymph, nodes, fever, back and muscle pain, lack of energy, rashes beginning on face to other parts such as palms, soles and feet, etc.
Preventive measures include; avoiding contact with animals where Mpox is confirmed from sick or dead ones, avoiding contact with persons infected, isolation of infected animals.
Others include practising of hand washing with soap, sanitising of hand, meat cooking before consumption, and use of appropriate protective clothing and gloves while handling sick animals.
He advised the public to report suspected cases at the nearest health facility or call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
On August 14,2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Global Public Health Emergency of international concern in Africa after reviewing available data.
