The Abia State Government confirmed one case of monkey pox in the state. Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information, verified this during a press briefing on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting on Monday in Umuahia.
He said the confirmed instance occurred near Isiala Ngwa. He also revealed that of the 13 documented in the state, just one tested positive, nine tested negative, and two were pending categorisation. However, the Commissioner stated that there had been no casualties yet.
The State Government has established a treatment centre at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, Aba. Dr. Agozi Azodo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, emphasised the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and social distancing to avoid contracting the viral disease.
The former Director of the Federal Ministry of Health stated that the State Government was prepared to deal with a possible breakout of the disease and encouraged locals to report any suspicious cases as soon as possible. The SA said that the State Government has finalised plans to repair and upgrade 200 basic health clinics across the state in 100 days.
