Akwa Ibom records five cases of Mpox

The Akwa Ibom State Government says it has recorded five cases of Mpox (formerly known as Monkey Pox) in the state. 

The disease surveillance and notification officer of the Ministry of Health, Mr Samuel  Etuk, who said the cases were reported in some local government areas, first confirmed four cases, before an additional case.

Speaking on Friday in Uyo during a media review meeting organised by the Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in collaboration with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme(STBLCP), Etuk revealed that the four confirmed cases were from a total of 30 samples collected for diagnosis.

He explained that the four cases consisted of three males and one female, ranging from  two, four, 12 and 41 years of age.

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“We have another positive case of Mpox bringing the tally to five confirmed cases in the state,” he said.

Etuk mentioned that the contact tracing for transmission was conducted while the affected persons had been placed on isolation.

He said 10 community informants were engaged per ward to work in catchment areas and report to the health facility focal person who would report to the local government disease surveillance and notification officers, for an onward report to the Ministry of Health.

He encouraged the public to report suspected cases at the nearest health facility or call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14,  2024 declared Mpox a Global Public Health Emergency of International Concern after reviewing available data.

Mpox spread from animal to man is known as zoonotic, while man to man spread is transmitted directly or indirectly through urine, faeces, blood, sexual contact, broken skin, eyes, nose, mouth, contact with skin lesions and oral secretions.

Symptoms of Mpox lasts between 5-21 days incubation period and include headache, swollen lymph, nodes, fever, back and muscle pain, lack of energy, face rashes to other body parts such as palms, soles and feet etc.

Mpox can be prevented by avoiding contact with infected animals whether sick or dead, avoiding contact with persons infected, isolation of infected animals, washing of hands with soap or use of hand sanitizer, cooking meat before consumption, and use of appropriate protective clothing and gloves while handling sick animals.