Cross River Confirms First Case Of Mpox In Okoshe Community

Cross River State has confirmed the first case of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Okoshe community in the Obudu local government area.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, announced this in Calabar on Sunday, revealing that the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja confirmed the case from Obudu.

In a press release, Ayuk shared that on Monday, August 19th, the State Epidemiologist of Ebonyi informed his ministry of a possible Mpox or Chickenpox diagnosis. A sample was sent to the national reference lab, and on Saturday, August 24th, it tested positive for Mpox and negative for Chickenpox.

The female patient from Okoshe village sought care at the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki. Ayuk mentioned that they are investigating her travel history to understand her reasons for going to Ebonyi, as there is no known medical referral or history from Obudu.

While the investigation of the travel history of the case is ongoing, the state government is responding actively to mitigate any outbreak in Obudu, he assured.

Ayuk said he has instructed the immediate activation of the Mpox Emergency Operation Center, with Dr. Ekpo Ekpo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, serving as the Incident Manager. He also directed the Obudu local government response team, supported by the State team, to begin mitigation efforts.

These efforts include identifying symptomatic contacts, quarantining close contacts at General Hospital Sankwala in Obanliku, collecting samples from symptomatic individuals, and raising awareness through sensitisation campaigns in churches, schools, and communities.

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