Anambra State yesterday recorded two suspected cases of monkey pox in three local government areas which have now been placed under surveillance.
The councils are Anambra East, Onitsha and Oyi.
Commissioner for Health Dr. Afam Obidike, who addressed reporters in Awka, said one of the cases has been confirmed positive. He added that the state emergency preparedness and response team put relevant surveillance measures in place towards curtailing the spread of the disease.
Obidike, however, urged residents not to panic but report to the hospital for proper examination whenever they notice rashes on their skin.
He said: “Few weeks ago, two suspected cases of monkey pox were reported in Anambra East, Onitsha and Oyi Local Government Areas. The case from Anambra East was confirmed positive and is currently receiving treatment at the isolation centre of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi.
“In light of the above, Governor Charles Soludo has declared the incident an outbreak, and an emergency preparedness and response committee meeting was convened on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by relevant stakeholders, including World Health Organisation (WHO) team and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); they are providing necessary assistance to the state.
“Planning for immediate response to the outbreak and surveillance, laboratory, case management, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control and safe burial pillars were also activated.”
Obidike also announced the training of health personnel and response officers on enhanced active case search, sample collection and monkey pox management, as well as intensified public awareness.
