Akwa Ibom’s
Commissioner of Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, has announced that 18 cases of monkey pox has
been reported in the state with one being confirmed.
Speaking at a press
conference, the Commissioner said the 18 cases reside within three communities
of Ikot Akpaden, Ikot Enin and Ndon in Mkpat Enin LGA.
Ukpong who noted that
the presence of the disease in neighbouring states puts Akwa Ibom at risk of
new cases, stated that they have activated its infectious control procedure to
prevent the epidemic and confine it to the affected local government.
“In Nigeria, as at October 24th, 93 suspected
cases have been reported, 43 confirmed, only one death reported, and that was
in Lagos state.
“Although 10 states
are affected: Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Enugu
and Anambra states with a total number of 93 cases in the country, 59% are from
two states: Delta, (28%), and Lagos (26%).
“Since the beginning
of the outbreak in 2017, 176 confirmed cases were reported and nine deaths
before the outbreak of this year.
“Monkey pox is a rare
viral zoonotic infections, that is, an infection transmitted from animals to
humans, that occurs sporadically, primarily in remote villages in Central and
West Africa, near tropical forests. It is caused by monkey pox viruses which
also cause small pox and cow pox.
“Case fatality in
outbreak has been between 1% and 10%, with most deaths occurring in younger age
groups” he said.
The Commissioner also
warned against contact with animals that could harbour the virus, including
sick or dead animals within the affected communities.