The Akwa Ibom State government, through its National Orientation Agency (NOA), has intensified public health education efforts after tracing six Mpox cases to a single household in the Onna Local Government Area (LGA).
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health confirmed eight Mpox cases across the region, with the clustering of six infections in one household sparking immediate government response.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, revealed on Monday that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently traced six Mpox cases to one household after the infected individuals moved from Onna Local Government Area to Uyo, the state capital.
“In Onna LGA, six people in one household contracted the disease and migrated to Uyo for unknown reasons before the NCDC could trace and reach them,” Mkpoutom explained.
“This movement led to the spread, making Uyo the second area affected.”
He confirmed that the infected individuals are now quarantined, with ongoing contact tracing efforts. Mkpoutom added that NOA staff were dispatched to affected areas last week under the state health ministry’s directive.
“As of now, Akwa Ibom has the highest number of Mpox cases in Nigeria,” he stated.
“At least 10 local government areas, including Uyo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, and Ikot Ekpene, are seriously impacted, placing Akwa Ibom among the most affected states nationwide.”
He urged residents to report symptoms at nearby health centers, warning that Mpox is often mistaken for common skin rashes but can spread easily, primarily through bush meat.
“Initially, we thought monkeys were the main carriers, but research now shows rats also spread it. Once humans are infected, the disease can spread within households,” he added.
