From Our Correspondent
Dr Afam Obidike, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, says the state has not recorded any confirmed case of the monkeypox (Mpox) virus.
TheNewsZenith reports that Obidike announced this to newsmen in Awka on Tuesday.
The commissioner said the ministry has activated an emergency response team (ERT) across the 21 Local Government Areas(LGAs).
TheNewsZenith recalls that Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is related to smallpox. It causes skin lesions, fever and muscular aches.
The Mpox virus, which initially broke out in Central Africa, has since spread to several West African countries.
These include Nigeria, where 40 cases have been officially recorded.
Obidike said the proactive measures and heightened vigilance in the state, followed reported confirmed cases of Mpox in some parts of the country.
He said the 16 suspected cases in Anambra whose samples were taken had returned negative.
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“Since the inception of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, we have introduced emergency response teams.
“ERT has helped immensely in early detection of outbreaks and intervention.
“We also have health informants, disease surveillance and notification officers in all the 326 wards in the state which have been equally activated.
“The state government is prepared and currently improving in all areas, especially in surveillance.
“We have also notified public and private hospitals to create holding areas for isolation of suspected cases of Mpox,” he said.
Obidike said the Ministry had started public sensitisation to raise awareness about Mpox, preventive measures and identifying someone suffering from it.
He advised residents to imbibe personal hygiene and ensure need prompt report of suspected cases.
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