Delta Records 70 Suspected Mpox Cases

The Delta State Ministry of Health has raised concerns after confirming around 70 suspected Mpox cases across the 25 Local Government Areas. The figure, officials say, signals the need for tighter surveillance and heightened community awareness.

The alert was issued during a capacity-building workshop in Asaba, where NCDC Incident Manager, Dr. Odianosen Ehiakhamen, briefed frontline workers on the national situation. He warned that infections are rising, with new patterns emerging across the country.

According to him, 17 cases were confirmed in just one week, including infections in children and a newborn barely 17 days old. He said such developments point to increasing community transmission and many undetected cases.

The Delta State Ministry of Health, represented by Ms. Nneka Imarhia, confirmed that some LGAs are reporting clusters. She noted the steady work of FMC Asaba, one of the NCDC-approved testing centres, supported by infectious-disease specialists and dermatologists.

Officials from the Nigerian Red Cross, including Mr. Bassey Imoke, urged stronger collaboration as the state battles multiple outbreaks. Experts at the workshop pushed for an integrated response linking Mpox, diphtheria and Lassa fever under a unified surveillance system.