The Akwa Ibom State Government has raised an urgent alarm following the confirmation of five monkeypox (Mpox) cases within the state.

Health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease. During a media briefing, Samuel Etuk, the official in charge of disease surveillance and notification at the state Ministry of Health, disclosed that out of 30 samples collected for diagnosis, five tested positive.

The confirmed cases include three males and one female, aged between 2 and 41 years old. Etuk emphasized the importance of community involvement in monitoring the outbreak, stating, "We have engaged 10 informants in each of the state’s 368 political wards to report cases to health authorities." He also noted that contact tracing efforts are underway and that the affected individuals are currently in isolation.

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease, can be transmitted from animals to humans and through direct or indirect human contact. Symptoms typically appear after an incubation period of 5 to 21 days and include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, rashes, and muscle pain.

The rashes often start on the face and spread to other parts of the body. To prevent further spread, residents are advised to avoid contact with sick animals or humans, maintain proper hygiene, and report any suspected cases to health authorities or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Etuk reminded the public that the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared Mpox a global public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, signaling the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures.

"The community's cooperation is crucial in controlling this outbreak," Etuk added. "We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and report any suspicious symptoms immediately."