Two New Cases of Mpox Confirmed in Nigeria’s Cross River State
In a recent statement, Mrs Inyang Ekpenyong, the Cross River State Epidemiologist, confirmed the detection of two new cases of Mpox in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area. This announcement comes after a previous case was reported in Okoshe, Obudu Local Government Area, which was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja.
According to Ekpenyong, a case management team has been alerted to evacuate the two cases to an isolation center as soon as possible. The state and local government rapid response team has also begun contact tracing, listing, and monitoring to contain the spread of the disease. Furthermore, Ekpenyong appealed for financial resources to urgently carry out necessary response activities.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare disease caused by the Mpox virus. It typically affects rodents such as rats or mice, or non-human primates like monkeys. The disease was first discovered in Central Africa and is primarily spread through close contact, and occasionally from the environment via objects and surfaces that have been touched by an infected person.
The detection of these new cases highlights the importance of prompt action to contain the spread of Mpox. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and proactive in responding to emerging public health threats.
