The Akwa Ibom Ministry of Health’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Mr. Samuel Etuk, reports that the state has five confirmed cases of (Mpox).
In an interview with reporters in Uyo on Friday, Etuk revealed the most recent instance, stating that the state government has previously declared four outbreaks.
According to him, four out of the thirty samples that were obtained for diagnostic purposes from various local government districts were positive for mpox.
Four cases of Mpox have been confirmed in Nigeria, with three males and one female, aged two, four, 12 and 41 years respectively. The outbreak is being managed by Breakthrough Action Nigeria in collaboration with the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme.
The latest case brings the total confirmed cases in the state to five. Contact tracing for transmission is being conducted while affected persons are kept in isolation. Ten community-based informants have been engaged to work in catchment areas, reporting to the health facility focal person who will communicate with the local government disease surveillance and notification office. The full report will be submitted to the state ministry of health for prompt action.
Mpox can be transmitted through urine, feces, blood, sexual contact, broken skin, eyes, nose, mouth, and contact with skin lesions and oral secretions. Symptoms include headache, swollen lymph and nodes, fever, back and muscle pain, and lack of energy. Preventive measures include regular hand washing, using hand sanitizers, and using protective clothing and gloves.
