Cross River confirms first mpox case

Cross River has recorded its first case of mpox, after an individual was diagnosed in Okoshe village, Obudu LGA.

In a statement on Sunday, Egbe Ayuk, the state’s commissioner for health, said a report from the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja confirmed the case. 

Ayuk added that his ministry was notified of a presumptive diagnosis of 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,” he said.

“The case, a female from Okoshe village in Obudu local government area, sought care at Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki.”

He noted that investigation into her travel history is ongoing. 

“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.

He instructed the immediate activation of the mpox Emergency Operation Centre and appointed Ekpo Ekpo, special adviser to the governor on health, as incident manager.

He also directed the commencement of mitigation efforts by the Obudu LGA response team, with support from the state team.

The commissioner noted that the measures include listing symptomatic contacts, quarantining them at General Hospital Sankwala, and collecting samples.

He added that long term measures include moving samples to the state hub, running awareness campaigns, and swiftly delivering supplies to the General Hospital Sankwala.

Ayuk said monthly financial support will be provided to LGA surveillance teams for active case searches in health facilities and communities to prevent the spread of the disease. 

He added that state and LGA teams will supervise, establish isolation wards in hospitals, ensure infection control supplies, and promote hygiene education.

On August 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak a global health emergency.