The Nationwide Orientation Company (NOA) in Akwa Ibom State has begun a sensitization train to teach the general public on the prevalence and prevention of Mpox illness within the state.
This initiative follows experiences from the Ministry of Well being that Akwa Ibom State has recorded eight circumstances of the Mpox outbreak, rating it among the many states with the very best prevalence of the virus.
The NOA Coordinator within the state, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, disclosed this whereas fielding questions from journalists in Uyo on Monday.
He said that about 10 native authorities areas within the state have been affected.
He added that the company’s workers have been dispatched to the affected councils since final week after receiving directions from the Ministry of Well being to sensitize the general public on preventive measures and the significance of searching for medical consideration instantly in case of fever, headache, boils, or sores on the pores and skin.
Mkpoutom emphasised the necessity for folks to keep away from consuming lifeless or undercooked meat and urged them to take care of private and environmental hygiene.
He mentioned, “I’m positive that you’re very a lot conscious that Akwa Ibom has the very best circumstances of Mpox proper now as we communicate. My crew has been within the subject since final week after we acquired directions from the Ministry of Well being in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Company on Well being Issues.
“Ten native governments are severely affected, with probably the most impacted native authorities areas being Uyo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, and Ikot Ekpene. Which means, in the entire federation, Akwa Ibom ranks excessive in Mpox circumstances.
“Proper now, that is the issue in Akwa Ibom, and we would like all people to bear in mind. In line with the well being sector, there may be at present no remedy for Mpox; administration and remedy are the one choices obtainable.”
Whereas noting that, in Onna LGA alone, about six folks have been affected by the illness in a single family, Mkpoutom referred to as on the folks of the state to report any such circumstances to the closest medical heart for remedy.
“We’re asking folks to please report circumstances like this. Individuals shouldn’t assume that it’s simply abnormal rashes (Krokro); it’s not. The illness is well unfold. It’s contracted from bush meat. Initially, it was thought to have been unfold by monkeys, however after conducting some analysis, we found that it’s not unfold by monkeys alone; even rats can unfold it. When it enters an individual, it spreads all through the family.
“In Onna LGA, about six folks have been troubled in a single home, and people six folks sadly needed to migrate to Uyo for some unknown purpose earlier than the NCDC was capable of hint them. This reveals how the illness can unfold, and now Uyo has turn out to be the second most affected space.
He disclosed that the affected individuals have been quarantined whereas contact tracing continues to be ongoing within the state.
