One incidence of monkeypox has been reported in Anambra State.

The news was revealed at a media briefing held yesterday in Awka, by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike.

Based on the Commissioner’s statement, the state was on the alert the moment the outbreak was reported in several states earlier this year.

According to him, the state’s emergency readiness and response team implemented all necessary surveillance procedures to stop the spread of the disease.

” Two suspected cases of monkeypox were recorded a few weeks ago in the local government areas (LGAs) of Anambra East, Onitsha, and Oyi, with the case from Anambra East LGA being confirmed as positive.

The patient is currently being treated and recovered at the isolation unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, in Nnewi.

In addition to raising public awareness, Obidike stated that the state government has started training health professionals and emergency response officers in enhanced active case search, sample collection, and monkeypox management.

When locals noticed rashes on their skin, he urged them not to worry and to go to the hospital for a comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. Adamu Abdulnasir, WHO’s the state coordinator for Anambra, also spoke during the event and pledged the organization’s assistance for the country in terms of capacity development and outbreak response, and surveillance. (NAN)