Abia confirms first mpox case

Abia State Government says it has recorded one incident of Monkeypox in the state.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who chaired the state’s executive council meeting on Monday.

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

He also said the case was in Isialangwa and that the state has opened centres, including Abia State University Teaching Hospital, and that “more centres are coming soon.”

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

She also stressed 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.

Azodo also disclosed that the state 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.

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