The Abia State Government has confirmed a case of monkeypox in the state.
The case was confirmed by Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu during a press briefing in Umuahia on Monday.
Kanu has urged residents to maintain personal hygiene and social distancing.
The confirmed case was recorded in the Isiala Ngwa area, with 13 suspected cases reported in the state. Out of these, he said one tested positive, nine tested negative, and two are awaiting classification.
He added that there have been no casualties yet.
To combat the outbreak, the State Government has set up a treatment centre at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Agozi Azodo, stressed the importance of regular personal hygiene in preventing the spread of the disease.
Dr. Azodo advised residents, especially farmers, to minimize contact with animals and report any suspected cases promptly.
She said the state Government is ready to handle a possible outbreak and has concluded arrangements to renovate and retrofit 200 primary health centres across the state within 100 days.
The project, part of the ongoing transformation in the health sector, will commence in the first week of September and be completed before December.
