C'River: Health Ministry inaugurates Emergency Operation Centre to curb Mpox outbreak

By Ebi COLLINS

Following the recent confirmation of the first case of Mpox outbreak in Obudu local government area of the State, Cross River Ministry of Health has activated an integrated Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) to contain further spread and nib the disease in the bud.

Inaugurating the EOC headed by the Incident Manager and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk appreciated health sector stakeholders, especially the Epidemiology and Health Promotion units of his Ministry, for their proactive efforts in clamping down on health issues, tasking them to, once again, rise up to the occasion amid Mpox outbreak in the state.

Dr. Ayuk stressed on the need for a sustainability matrix tracker for monitoring given tasks in the various units of the Emergency Operation Centre.

The Health boss commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for going ahead to train 1,960 community informants across the 196 wards in the state, which he said has added impetus to the fight against Mpox. He also appreciated NCDC, UNICEF, MSF, other partners, and donors for their swift response towards combating the epidemic and building a healthy environment for the citizens of the state.

Furthermore, the Commissioner implored the various teams to swing into action immediately as he would oversee their progress in various local government and villages himself to ensure the effectiveness of the work done in the grassroots.

He assured the laboratory teams that the Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other relevant bodies, would endeavour to provide the necessary equipment and materials in the facilities.

In addition, he mentioned that medical teams would be dispatched to visit primary and secondary schools across the state to conduct screening for Mpox to enable proper tracking and diagnosis.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong gave an overview of the Mpox virus including ways of contracting virus, symptoms, as well as preventive measures. She also gave update on the confirmed case of Mpox in Obudu as well as the isolation facilities that have been set up for evacuation of confirmed cases and symptomatic Contacts.

For proper management and mitigation of the Mpox outbreak, the Health Ministry said the incidence management system of the EOC have several response pillars which includes, coordination, surveillance, laboratory, logistics, IPC, case management, Risk Communication, Gender, and vaccine. Each team gave an update on activities and strategies for their mode of operation towards the curbing of the epidemic.