The Rivers State Government has confirmed two new cases of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) within the state, according to Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the state’s Commissioner for Health. The announcement was made during a news briefing held on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, as the state intensifies efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.
Dr. Oreh informed the press that the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre had been placed on high alert to handle any potential outbreak or emergency. The heightened state of alert will allow the government to respond swiftly to new cases and minimize the impact of the infection on the population.
“Recently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control stated that there are 39 confirmed cases of Mpox across the country. Out of this number, Rivers State has two confirmed cases of Mpox,” Dr. Oreh said.
Mpox, which was previously referred to as Monkeypox, is a viral infection that primarily spreads through close contact with an infected person. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, such as bedding, clothing, or other items that an infected individual has touched.
While Mpox was once considered a rare infection, its increased spread in recent years has raised concerns across Nigeria. In response to the recent developments, the Rivers State Government has implemented several proactive measures aimed at containing the virus and preventing further transmission within the state.
Dr. Oreh detailed that the state’s health authorities had formulated an incident response plan specifically targeting Mpox. This plan includes the mobilization of resources to quickly identify and manage cases across all regions of Rivers State. The government is also focusing on improving the capacity of health workers to ensure effective monitoring and treatment.
“We have deployed our medical teams to respond to all emergencies at the healthcare level, general and specialist hospitals,” Oreh continued. This strategic deployment includes teams of medical professionals specially trained to handle Mpox cases, ensuring that they can respond swiftly to any new cases that may arise.
