The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom State has reported that six Mpox cases were traced to a single household within the state.
In response, the government has launched a sensitization campaign aimed at educating residents on Mpox prevention and control.
This follows a Ministry of Health report revealing that Akwa Ibom has recorded a total of eight Mpox cases.
During a media briefing on Monday, NOA Coordinator Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom shared that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) identified the six cases within one household after the affected individuals moved from Onna Local Government Area 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,” Mkpoutom said.
“I think you can see how the thing spread and Uyo now became the second place affected.”
Mkpoutom added 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.
He highlighted that within Onna Local Government Area, approximately six individuals in a single household were affected by the disease.
Mkpoutom urged residents to promptly report any suspected cases to the nearest medical center for treatment.