By Bassey inyang in Calabar
Following what is feared to be the first case of monkey pox infection in Cross River State, the samples of a male suspected to have developed symptoms of the disease have been sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The disclosure was made by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, through a press statement released on her behalf in Calabar Monday by the state epidemiologist, Dr. Patience Uke.
The statement read: “The attention of the Cross River State Ministry of Health has been drawn to reports of a suspected case of monkey pox in Okuni, Ikom LGA (Local Government Area), of the state just days after the suspect returned from a trip to Akwa Ibom State with symptoms suggestive of monkey pox disease.”
Asibong called on the general public, especially those living in the area, to be careful and avoid close contacts with one other as the incubation period of monkey pox disease is usually from six to 16 days but can range from five to 21 days.
Along with the activation of the Disease Surveillance and Response team for the outbreak across the state, the state Epidemiology Team has also collected samples from the suspect and sent to Abuja for proper investigation while they continue contact tracing and isolation of the suspect.
Details later…
