The Akwa Ibom State Government has sounded an alarm over the rising cases of monkeypox within the state, with five confirmed cases reported so far.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as the disease spreads across various local government areas.
During an update on Friday, September 6, officials revealed that of the 30 samples collected for testing, five returned positive results. The initial four confirmed cases involved three males and one female, aged 2, 4, 12, and 41.
Samuel Etuk, the officer responsible for disease surveillance and notification at the state Ministry of Health, confirmed the fifth case, stating that contact tracing is currently underway, and all infected individuals have been placed in isolation.
Speaking at a Media Review Meeting organized by Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in partnership with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP), Etuk highlighted the importance of community involvement in tracking the disease. He noted that 10 informants have been assigned to each of the state’s 368 political wards to report any suspected cases to health authorities.
Etuk explained that Mpox, also known as monkeypox, can be transmitted from animals to humans (a zoonotic process), as well as through direct or indirect human contact. Transmission can occur via contact with urine, blood, feces, skin lesions, or oral secretions.
The symptoms of Mpox typically manifest after an incubation period of 5 to 21 days and include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, rashes, and muscle aches. The rash often starts on the face and gradually spreads to other parts of the body.
To curb the spread of the virus, residents are advised to avoid contact with sick animals or infected individuals, maintain good hygiene, and report any suspected cases to health authorities or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Etuk also reminded the public that in August 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a global public health emergency of international concern, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to control the disease.
