The first case of Mpox (Monkeypox) has been confirmed in Okoshe community, located in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The confirmation was made by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, in Calabar on Sunday.
Dr. Ayuk disclosed that the case was confirmed through a report from the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja. He explained, “On Monday, 19th August, we were notified of a presumptive diagnosis for Mpox or Chickenpox by the State Epidemiologist of Ebonyi. A sample was then sent to the national reference lab from there. The result returned Saturday, 24th August 2024, positive for Mpox and negative for Chickenpox.”
The Commissioner provided more details about the case, stating, “The case, a female, is from Okoshe village in Obudu Local Government Area. She was at Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki to access care.” He added that an investigation into her travel history is ongoing to understand why she went to Ebonyi, as there is no medical history or referral from Obudu.
“While the investigation of the travel history of the case is ongoing, the state government is responding actively to mitigate any outbreak in Obudu,” Dr. Ayuk assured.
In response to the situation, Dr. Ayuk has directed the activation of the Mpox Emergency Operation Center, with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo, appointed as the Incident Manager. He also instructed the Obudu Local Government Area response team, with support from the State team, to begin mitigation activities immediately.
The Commissioner outlined several key measures to prevent the spread of Mpox, including the “Line-listing of symptomatic contacts, quarantine of close/symptomatic contacts at General Hospital Sankwala – Obanliku, and sample collection from symptomatic contacts.” He also emphasized the importance of sensitization on preventive measures, awareness campaigns in churches, schools, and communities, and the immediate movement of necessary medical supplies to General Hospital Sankwala.
As a long-term strategy to prevent the spread of Mpox, Dr. Ayuk revealed plans for “monthly financial support to surveillance teams in the LGAs for active case search at health facilities and communities across the State.” He also mentioned that there would be supportive supervision by the State and LGA teams, the establishment and equipping of isolation wards in all government hospitals, provision of infection prevention and control commodities in all LGAs, and health promotion and advocacy on personal hygiene.
The State’s health authorities are taking these measures seriously to ensure that the spread of Mpox is contained and that the health of the residents is protected.
