The National Orientation Agency, Akwa Ibom State , has confirmed Six Mpox Cases emanating from a single household in the state.
To combat this disease, the government initiated a statewide sensitization program focusing on disease awareness, prevention methods and risk mitigation.
According to the ministry of health,Akwa Ibom State has recorded eight cases of the Mpox outbreak.
The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control ( NCDC) has however confirmed 67 Mpox cases from 1,031 suspected cases across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The states with confirmed cases are Akwa Ibom (eight); Enugu (eight); Bayelsa (six); Cross River (five); Benue (four); Plateau (four); Delta (four); FCT (three); Imo (three); Lagos (three); Rivers (two); Abia (two); Osun (two); Anambra (two); Ogun (two).
Others are Kaduna (one); Gombe (one); Edo (one); Niger (one); Ebonyi (one); Nasarawa (one); Kebbi (one); and Oyo (one).
During a press briefing on Monday, Akwa Ibom’s NOA Coordinator, Mr. Mkpoutom, revealed that the NCDC has successfully traced a cluster of six Mpox infections to a household that migrated from Onna Local Government Area to Uyo.
It was also reported that about six individuals within the same household In Onna Local Government Area contracted Mpox, prompting relocation to Uyo before NCDC tracing and intervention.
Mkpoutom also revealed that the affected persons had been quarantined while contact tracing was ongoing.
Pursuant to instructions from the state health ministry, the agency dispatched personnel to affected councils last week.
“I am sure that you are very much aware that Akwa Ibom is having the highest cases of Mpox right now as we speak.
“So, my people have been on the field since last week when we had the instruction from the ministry of health, in partnership with the state agency on health matters” he added
He further noted that, “At least 10 local government areas are seriously affected, and some of the most affected local government areas are Uyo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Ekpene. At least 10 for now. The meaning is that in the whole federation, Akwa Ibom ranks high in Mpox disease,”
“I think you can see how the thing spread and Uyo now became the second place affected,” he concluded
Eniola Jolaoso