Ebonyi records monkeypox case, Osun begins sensitisation

The first case of Monkeypox has been recorded in Ebonyi State. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike, disclosed this during a briefing in Abakaliki, on Monday. He said the virus was recorded at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, on August 10, 2022.

The commissioner said, “A 32-year-old male farmer, who hails from Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area but resides in Abakaliki, was said to have travelled to Rivers State and returned to Ebonyi on July 7, 2022, and presented with history of fever, masculopapular rash, sore throat, headache and generalised weakness of the body. A presumptive diagnosis of monkeypox was made to rule out smallpox.

“Sample was collected and sent to the NCDC National Reference Laboratory and the result came out positive for monkeypox virus. The patient was admitted to Ebonyi State Isolation Centre and is currently being managed for monkeypox and he is responding to treatment. Seven contacts have been identified and line listed which are currently being followed up.

“Active case search has been heightened across all the LGAs in the state to strengthen case finding. Since the onset of this outbreak, Ebonyi has recorded a total of 32 suspected cases with only one confirmed case. Case fatality rate is still 0 (as there is no record of any death both in suspected and confirmed cases) in the state.

“Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to coordinate the outbreak investigation and response across the 13 LGAs in the state and is currently supporting response activities to contain the monkeypox outbreak via active case search, epidemiological investigation, contact line listing and monitoring of all exposed contacts.

“Public Health measures have been put in place to ensure effective sample collection and testing to enable laboratory confirmation. Risk communication activities have been heightened to advise the public on preventive measures.”

Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, on Monday, said the state government has commenced sensitisation to prevent the spread of monkeypox in the state.

Reacting to the claim that the state has recorded two cases of monkeypox, Isamotu, said results of the confirmatory tests carried out were still being awaited. He said one suspected case of monkeypox was recorded in the state last week, adding that another suspected case was recorded on Monday.

The commissioner said, “There are suspected cases of monkeypox which have not been confirmed. We have taken samples for test in a laboratory. There was one recorded at Atakunmonsa last two weeks and one today (Monday).

“We have embarked on a sensitisation programme to educate citizens on monkeypox.”