Mpox: Government jumps into action as one family records six cases in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian government has linked six Mpox cases to a single family in Akwa Ibom State, according to the National Orientation Agency (NOA)

This prompted the government to start a public awareness campaign on the state’s Mpox disease prevalence and prevention.

This comes as the Ministry of Health reported that eight instances of the Mpox outbreak were reported in Akwa Ibom State.

The NOA coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, told newsmen that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control was able to trace the six cases in one household after they migrated from Onna Local Government Area of the state to Uyo, the state capital.

“In Onna LGA, about six people were afflicted in one house and those six people unfortunately had to migrate to Uyo for some unknown reasons before the NCDC was able to trace and get down here.

“I think you can see how the thing spread and Uyo now became the second place affected,” Mkpoutom said.

He further stated that the agency’s staff had been dispatched to affected councils since last week after receiving instructions from the state ministry of health.

“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.

“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,” he said.