A case of Monkeypox has been confirmed in the Okoshe community within the Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, in Calabar on Sunday.
He revealed that a report from the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja confirmed the presence of Mpox in Obudu, Cross River State.
Ayuk explained that on Monday, August 19, 2024, the Ministry of Health received a notification of a presumptive diagnosis for Mpox or Chickenpox from the State Epidemiologist of Ebonyi.
“A sample was then sent to the national reference lab from there. The result returned Saturday, 24 August 2024, positive for Mpox and negative for Chickenpox,” Ayuk stated.
The case involves a female resident from Okoshe village in Obudu, who sought medical care at the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki.
The Commissioner emphasized that an investigation is underway to determine her travel history, as there is no record of a medical referral from Obudu to Ebonyi.
“While the investigation of the travel history of the case is ongoing, the state government is responding actively to mitigate any outbreak in Obudu,” Ayuk reassured.
In response to the situation, Dr. Ayuk has ordered the immediate activation of the Mpox Emergency Operation Center.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo, has been appointed as the Incident Manager to oversee the state’s response.
Mitigation efforts have commenced in Obudu with the involvement of the local government area response team, supported by the State team.
Ayuk outlined some of the key measures being implemented, including the line-listing of symptomatic contacts, quarantine of close or symptomatic contacts at General Hospital Sankwala in Obanliku, and the collection of samples from these contacts.
Additionally, Ayuk highlighted other important steps being taken, such as the swift transportation of samples to the State hub, and heightened sensitization campaigns on preventive measures and awareness within churches, schools, and communities.
There is also an immediate deployment of necessary medical supplies to General Hospital Sankwala.
Looking ahead, Ayuk announced that the state government is planning monthly financial support for surveillance teams across the LGAs to facilitate active case searches in both health facilities and communities.
Furthermore, there will be regular supervision by the State and LGA teams, the establishment of well-equipped isolation wards in government hospitals, and the provision of infection prevention and control materials across all LGAs.
The government also intends to enhance health promotion and advocacy efforts, particularly concerning personal hygiene.
