Fears As Abia Confirms First Monkeypox Case

Abia State Government has announced one positive case of monkeypox. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who chaired the State’s Executive Council meeting on Monday, stated this.

He noted that there were 13 suspected cases, one of which was positive, nine negative cases and three uncertified with no death recorded yet.

According to Kanu, a case of monkeypox was recorded in the Isiala Ngwa local government area.

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He stated Abia has opened centres, including Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, adding that more centres would be announced soon.

The Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, explained that there is a synergy between the Ministries of Health, Environment and Public Utilities, stressing that a steering committee has been set up on infectious diseases, while the state has keyed into the Federal Government “One-Health” policy.

Azodo also stated that the state government is looking at how to strengthen such facilities and has maintained high surveillance.

She called on citizens to maintain good hygiene, reduce contact with animals, and stay away from people with suspected cases.

She disclosed the Ministry of Health has concluded plans to deliver 200 Primary Healthcare Centres in 100 days; this will be done by ”renovating and retrofitting existing PHCs to bring them up to standard.”

According to her, the move is a “bold step taken by the ministry. Work begins in the first week of September,” and delivery begins in December as a ”Christmas gift” to Abians.