By Egufe Yafuborghi & Chioma Onuegbu

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom State has launched a sensitization campaign to educate the public on the spread and prevention of Mpox, following a report from the state Ministry of Health confirming eight cases of the disease.

Akwa Ibom NOA Coordinator, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, shared this update in Uyo on Monday during a press briefing on the agency’s activities. He noted that NOA staff have been mobilized across the state’s 31 local government areas to inform residents about the Mpox outbreak, as instructed by the Ministry of Health.

“Akwa Ibom currently has cases of Mpox,” Mkpoutom said. “Our teams have been on the field since last week. Some local government areas, including Uyo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, and Ikot Ekpene, are notably affected. This places Akwa Ibom among the states with higher Mpox incidences, and we want everyone to be aware.”

Highlighting the situation in Onna LGA, where a family of six has been affected, Mkpoutom urged individuals exhibiting Mpox symptoms to seek treatment at the nearest health centers to help prevent further spread.

He emphasized the importance of public awareness, as many may mistake Mpox, which easily spreads through contact, for common skin rashes. “People should not dismiss it as just ordinary skin rashes (Krokro); it’s not,” he stressed. “It spreads easily within households once it affects one individual.”