Nine cases of monkeypox infection have been reported in Abia State.
Peace Nwogwugwu, the state’s epidemiologist, announced it in Umuahia on Wednesday.
In partnership with the Abia Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) hosted a one-day sensitisation session where she gave a speech.
“Currently, 40 suspected cases have been investigated and nine confirmed in five local government areas of the state,” said Mrs Nwogwugwu, a medical doctor.
“Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ikwuano, and Umunneochi local government areas had two cases each, while Aba North had one.
“Government has ensured that all necessary outbreak response activities have been activated.
“This is to quickly contain the outbreak within the shortest period,” Mrs Nwogwugwu added.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the NAWOJ Caretaker Committee in Abia State, Oluchi Ikechukwu-Odionyenfe, said the workshop was organised so NAWOJ members could join in the fight against the monkeypox.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abia State, Victor Ndukwe, also addressed the workshop, saying it was a bold step to prevent misinterpretation of the disease.
Ndukwe commended the organisers and urged relevant agencies to increase public education about the disease in rural areas.
The World Health Organisation has declared monkeypox a global emergency.