HEALTH: A’IBOM ISOLATES FIVE CONFIRMED CASES OF MPOX
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The AKWA Ibom administration has confirmed five cases of monkey pox (Mpox) in various sections of the state, with sick individuals kept in isolation and contact tracing to prevent further spread.
Samuel Etuk, Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for the state Ministry of Health, confirmed an additional case yesterday after previously announcing four.
Etuk reported the first four cases at a media review meeting organised by Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in partnership with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP) in Uyo.
And on a WhatsApp post yesterday, the state health official disclosed “We have another positive case of Mpox bringing the tally to 5 confirmed cases in the State.”
A total of 30 samples obtained for diagnosis revealed four instances, three males and one female, with ages ranging from two to four, twelve to forty-one years.
He stated that contact tracing for any transmission was carried out while the concerned individuals were confined in isolation.
He went on to explain that 10 community informants were assigned to each ward to work in catchment areas, reporting to the health focal person, who then forwarded the information to the local government illness surveillance and notification officials, who reported to the Ministry of Health.
Mpox is zoonotic, meaning it spreads from animal to animal, whereas man-to-man transmission occurs directly or indirectly by urine, faeces, blood, sexual contact, damaged skin, eyes, nose, mouth, contact with skin lesions, and oral secretions.
The disease symptoms persist for 5–21 days during the incubation phase and include headache, swollen lymph nodes, fever, back and muscle discomfort, lack of energy, and rashes that spread from the face to the palms, soles, and feet.
Preventive strategies include avoiding contact with animals where Mpox has been confirmed from sick or dead animals, avoiding contact with infected people, and isolating diseased animals.
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Others include hand cleaning with soap, hand sanitising, boiling meat before consumption, and wearing suitable protective clothes and gloves while dealing with sick animals.
Etuk encouraged the people to report suspected instances at the local health facility or contact the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
After examining available data, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated Mpox a Global Public Health Emergency of International Concern in Africa on August 14 of this year.
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