In response to a rise in Mpox cases, the Akwa Ibom State government has initiated a public awareness campaign to educate residents on the spread and prevention of the disease. This follows a report from the Ministry of Health revealing that Akwa Ibom has recorded eight confirmed Mpox cases, making it the state with the highest incidence in Nigeria.
State NOA Coordinator, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, disclosed that six of these cases originated from one household in Onna Local Government Area, with the infected individuals subsequently relocating to Uyo, where the disease spread further. “In Onna LGA, about six people in one household were affected, and they migrated to Uyo before the NCDC could trace them,” Mkpoutom explained.
With ten local government areas now impacted—most notably Uyo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, and Ikot Ekpene—the agency’s staff have been mobilized to affected regions to assist in containment efforts. “Our team has been in the field since last week under instructions from the Ministry of Health, coordinating with the state health agency to address the issue,” Mkpoutom added.
He encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any symptoms of Mpox to nearby healthcare centers for prompt treatment.
