Cross River State has recorded its first confirmed case of mpox following a diagnosis in Okoshe village in Obudu local government area of the state. The case was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja, according to a statement released on Sunday by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Egbe Ayuk. Ayuk disclosed that the state’s Ministry of Health was initially notified of a presumptive diagnosis of either mpox or chickenpox by the Ebonyi State epidemiologist.
“A sample was then sent to the national reference lab, and the result returned on Saturday, 24th August 2024, positive for mpox and negative for chickenpox,” Ayuk disclosed. The patient, a female resident of Okoshe village, had sought medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State’s capital. Authorities are currently investigating her travel history to understand the potential origin of the infection.
“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 added. In response to the confirmed case, Ayuk has ordered the immediate activation of the mpox Emergency Operation Centre. The Commissioner also appointed the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Ekpo as the incident manager to lead the response efforts.
The Obudu LGA response team, supported by the state team, has been directed to begin mitigation efforts immediately. These efforts include identifying and listing symptomatic contacts, quarantining them at General Hospital Sankwala, and collecting samples for further testing. Long-term strategies involve transporting samples to the state hub, launching awareness campaigns, and rapidly delivering medical supplies to the General Hospital Sankwala.
To further prevent the spread of mpox, Ayuk announced monthly financial support for LGA surveillance teams to conduct active case searches within health facilities and communities. The state and LGA teams will also supervise the establishment of isolation wards in hospitals, ensure the availability of infection control supplies, and promote hygiene education. The confirmation of Cross River’s first mpox case came amid global concerns over the disease.
Recall that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had on August 14 declared the mpox outbreak as a global health emergency, highlighting the need for urgent international attention and cooperation. The state government urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to health guidelines to prevent the spread of mpox..
