According to the state government, one of the two suspected instances of the disease recorded in the state was confirmed positive.
At a news conference in Awka, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the state has been on high alert since the sickness was reported in certain states earlier this year.
“A few weeks ago, two suspected cases of monkey pox were recorded in Anambra East, Onitsha, and Oyi local government areas, with the Anambra East LGA case being confirmed positive,” he said.
“The case is currently being treated and recovered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital’s isolation centre in Nnewi.”
“In view of the foregoing, Governor Charles Soludo proclaimed the situation an outbreak and summoned an emergency readiness and response committee meeting on Wednesday.”
“Relevant stakeholders, including the World Health Organization team and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, attended the meeting” (UNICEF). They are assisting the state in its time of need.
“The Laboratory, Case Management, Risk Communication and Community Engagement, Infection Prevention and Control, and Safe Burial pillars were engaged in preparation for an urgent reaction to the outbreak and surveillance.”
According to Obidike, the state government has begun training health staff and response officers on expanded active case search, sample collection, and Monkey pox management, as well as increasing public awareness.
He urged locals, however, not to panic and to go to the hospital for a comprehensive evaluation if they see rashes on their skin.
“Once confirmed at the hospital, the patient will be transferred to one of our isolation centres for treatment.” We have activated all of the state’s isolation centres.
“We urge folks to be calm and safe as we work to contain the Monkeypox outbreak in the state.” “We will triumph once more,” he continued.
Dr Adamu Abdulnasir, the WHO coordinator in Anambra State, stated that the organisation would assist the state with outbreak response, surveillance, and capacity building.
“Since we learned about the two suspected instances, WHO has assisted in the areas of sample collection and transporting the material to the lab,” he said. When the data were released, we conducted contact tracing as well as case and risk management.
“So far, we have recorded 41 instances of monkey pox in Nigeria, including one death.” The government is taking proactive steps to halt the spread and educate people on how to prevent and protect themselves.”