Orientation Agency Cautions Residents As Monkey Pox Hits 15 Akwa Ibom Councils

Orientation Agency Cautions Residents as Monkeypox Hits 15 Akwa Ibom Councils

The resurgence of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Akwa Ibom State has prompted urgent warnings from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which is calling on residents to adopt strict safety measures to curb the spread of the disease.

According to the state director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, the virus has already affected 15 out of the 31 local government areas in the state, with seven councils identified as the worst hit.

These include Ibesikpo Asutan, Abak, Urueofong Oruko, Ibiono Ibom, Mkpat Enin, Oron, and Uyo, the state capital. Eight additional councils, Eastern Obolo, Nsit Ibom, Etinan, Itu, Uruan, Eket, Onna, and Ika, have reported suspected cases, raising concerns about further spread across the state.

Data from the state Ministry of Health highlights Uyo as the epicenter of the outbreak, with a high prevalence rate compared to other affected areas.

The NOA has therefore urged residents, particularly travelers, to take precautionary steps such as avoiding crowded places, maintaining safe distances, frequent hand washing, and ensuring personal and environmental hygiene.

Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus under the Orthopoxvirus genus, typically spreads through direct contact with infected animals or humans.

Transmission can occur via handling bush meat, prolonged face-to-face exposure to respiratory droplets, or contact with lesions, bodily fluids, and contaminated materials such as bedding and surfaces.

Symptoms usually appear within five to twenty-one days after exposure and include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that progresses from flat lesions to fluid-filled bumps before scabbing over.

The NOA emphasized the importance of community awareness and collaboration in combating the outbreak. Mr. Mkpoutom appealed to the media, traditional institutions, religious leaders, NGOs, and community mobilization officers to intensify efforts in spreading accurate information about Mpox. He stressed that proactive measures, public health monitoring, and community engagement are vital to controlling the disease and preventing further escalation.

This resurgence of Monkeypox in Akwa Ibom reflects a broader global trend of reemerging infectious diseases, underscoring the need for vigilance in public health.

The agency’s call to action is not only a warning but also a reminder that collective responsibility and adherence to preventive measures remain the strongest defense against outbreaks of this nature.