Five cases of Mpox have been confirmed in Akwa Ibom state, with patients currently in isolation to prevent the spread of the disease. According to health officials, the patients include three males and a female, aged between 2 and 41 years old.
Contact tracing efforts are underway to manage the outbreak, with community informants actively monitoring and reporting suspected cases. So far, the first four cases were announced during a media review meeting, while the fifth case was confirmed shortly after.
Mpox, a zoonotic disease, spreads through contact with infected animals and human-to-human transmission via bodily fluids, broken skin, and respiratory secretions. Symptoms can last between 5 to 21 days and include fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, and rashes.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has urged the public to report any suspected cases to local health authorities. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected animals or people, proper hygiene, and wearing protective gear when necessary.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a global public health emergency in August 2023.
