The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River chapter, has warned that the state is at risk of experiencing an outbreak of the Mpox disease, News About Nigeria reports.
The Public Relations Officer of the NMA, Dr. Ukam Edadi, disclosed this on Thursday in the state capital.
He noted that the state is more vulnerable than others because of its status as a major tourist destination with vast forest reserves, including a gorilla sanctuary.
He emphasised the state’s geographical vulnerability due to its borders with Cameroon and other Central African countries where the outbreak originated.
According to Edadi, in areas such as Boki, Ikom, Bakassi, and others, the state shared boundaries with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, making it more susceptible to the virus.
He, therefore, noted that there is an urgent need for enhanced surveillance, particularly in border communities, adding that intensive awareness campaigns to address the current lack of public knowledge of the disease in the state is needed.
“Hunters and other individuals who come into frequent contact with wildlife could easily become hosts for the virus.
“If an mpox outbreak occurs, Cross River currently lacks sufficient isolation centers and diagnostic capabilities, which poses a significant challenge.
“The state’s primary isolation centre was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, leaving only a facility at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), which can accommodate just 50 patients.
“We must intensify our surveillance efforts, particularly in abattoirs, on roads where animals are transported, and at bush meat joints, which could become hotspots for the virus,” he stated.
The Mpox virus, which initially broke out in Central Africa, has since spread to several West African countries, including Nigeria, where 39 cases have been officially recorded.
