Akwa Ibom Records Six Mpox Cases Linked to One Household, Enforces Quarantine, Advises Caution with Bush Meat and Rats

The Akwa Ibom State government, through its National Orientation Agency (NOA), is stepping up public health awareness after tracking six Mpox cases to a single household in the Onna Local Government Area (LGA).

Recently, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health confirmed eight Mpox cases across the region. Six of these cases were traced to members of one family in Onna LGA, prompting swift action from the authorities.

According to Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, the NOA coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) linked these six cases to one household after the individuals left Onna LGA and relocated to Uyo, the state capital.

“In Onna, six people from the same household were infected and traveled to Uyo before the NCDC could locate them,” Mr. Mkpoutom explained. “Their movement contributed to the spread, resulting in Uyo being impacted as well.”

The affected individuals are now under quarantine, with contact tracing efforts underway. Mr. Mkpoutom noted that NOA staff were deployed to the impacted areas last week under instructions from the state health ministry.

“As it stands, Akwa Ibom has the highest Mpox cases in Nigeria,” he stated, adding that at least 10 local government areas, including Uyo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, and Ikot Ekpene, are affected, placing Akwa Ibom among the most impacted states in the country.

He advised residents to be vigilant and report any symptoms at nearby health centers. “Mpox can often be mistaken for common skin rashes but is highly contagious, especially through contact with bush meat,” he warned.

“We initially thought monkeys were the primary carriers, but research now shows that rats are also involved. Once humans are infected, the disease can easily spread within households,” he added.

For real-time updates on Mpox in Akwa Ibom, join our WhatsApp channel.