The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is assiting the Anambra State Government in setting up a laboratory to diagnose cases of Monkeypox and other contagious diseases.
The State government says setting up the laboratory and making it functional will help to shorten the time of getting results for disease investigations.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said the laboratory was situated at the Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu Teaching hospital (COOUTH), in Awka, the State capital.
According to him, when completed, the laboratory will diagnose diseases such as Monkeypox, Measles and Lassa fever.
The Commissioner described as unfortunate that NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory in Abuja was the only facility in the country with the capacity to diagnose monkeypox cases.
“So far, we have recorded three suspected cases of Monkeypox detected by our disease surveillance units in the local government areas.
“We are able to detect the first case, and in conjunction with WHO, it was confirmed. For the second case, the result is not out, while we are yet to get the sample of the third case across to the lab in Abuja.
“We have a massive laboratory at COOUTH and we are discussing with WHO and NCDC to activate it. It is in the final stages in terms of needed reagents for testing.
“Once the lab is ready, we can be doing Lassa fever, Measles and Monkeypox investigations there to shorten the time we get results for these investigations,” the Commissioner explained.
Contact Tracing
Obidike said the Ministry had started contact tracing in all the recorded cases to contain the spread of the disease.
Describing Monkeypox as a viral infection, the commissioner urged residents to be careful and report symptoms such as unusual body rashes, fever and headaches, to the hospital.
“We have been training our health personnel on how to detect this disease and manage it.
“There is no definite treatment, we just manage the symptoms to prevent any other secondary bacteria infection, mortality or morbidity that could occur from there.
“All hospitals in the state have been directed to be vigilant and create an isolation room incase they suspect cases; and we will take it up from there by coming to collect samples,” the Commissioner added.
Confidence Okwuchi
