The Cross River state government on Sunday refuted reports that it has recorded a case of monkeypox.
THe refutal was provided by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong.
She described as false online reports of a case of monkeypox being found in Okunni village in Ikon local government area of the state.
Cross River state is close to the states that have so far recorded incidences of the disease and is, according to Asibong, on high alert and watching border towns and all the LGAs for cases of monkeypox.
Added to these, the state has dispatched its epidemiological team to strategic areas in the state.
She said: “Cross River is not far from other states in the South-South that have witnessed the outbreak, we are working round the clock to prevent the disease in the state.
“As soon as we heard about the outbreak, we took extra precautions. Already, we have a team set up for infection, disease preparedness and control.
“We are always on alert and in constant surveillance of any disease outbreak. We have held several meetings with the state epidemiologists because we believe that prevention is better than cure.
“Currently, we are carrying out sensitisation and advocacy campaigns in communities through community leaders, town announcers and the media.”
Speaking on the disease, Asibong said monkeypox is a rare viral disease transmitted to humans from animals.
According to her, infection of the disease results from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and muscular injury of infected animals.
The incubation period ranged five to 21 days.
The first five days, known as the “invasion period”, is characterised by fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph back pain and others. Its symptoms are similar to those chicken pox and normally starts from the face, palms and to the sole of the feet.
“We have informed security personnel to look out for these symptoms and alert us accordingly.
“The state government is very responsive to cases of disease outbreak and we pray that the recent outbreak of Monkey Pox will not get to Cross River.’’
