Health
First Case of Monkeypox Confirmed in Cross River
A case of Monkeypox (Mpox) has been confirmed in the Okoshe community of Obudu Local Government Area in Cross River State.
Dr. Egbe Ayuk, the Commissioner for Health, announced the confirmation on Sunday in Calabar, stating that the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja had verified the case.
Dr. Ayuk explained in a press release that the State Epidemiologist of Ebonyi first notified the Ministry on August 19 of a presumptive Mpox or Chickenpox diagnosis EKO HOT BLOG reports.
A sample was subsequently sent to the national reference lab, and on August 24, 2024, the results confirmed Mpox while ruling out Chickenpox.
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The confirmed case involves a female from Okoshe village who had sought medical care at the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki. Dr. Ayuk noted that investigations are ongoing to determine her travel history, particularly her visit to Ebonyi, as there was no prior medical referral from Obudu.
monkey pox rash
To address the situation, Dr. Ayuk assured that the state government is taking proactive measures to prevent an outbreak in Obudu. The Mpox Emergency Operation Center has been activated, with Dr. Ekpo Ekpo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, appointed as Incident Manager.
Immediate response actions include the activation of the Obudu local government area response team, which will work in conjunction with the State team. These measures involve line-listing symptomatic contacts, quarantining close or symptomatic contacts at General Hospital Sankwala – Obanliku, and sample collection from these contacts.
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Additional steps include moving samples to the State hub, raising awareness and educating communities on preventive measures, and supplying essential commodities to General Hospital Sankwala.
For long-term management, Dr. Ayuk outlined plans for monthly financial support to surveillance teams in local government areas for active case searches, supportive supervision by state and local teams, establishing isolation wards in all government hospitals, and providing infection prevention and control supplies. Health promotion and advocacy on personal hygiene will also be very important.
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