The Ebonyi State Government yesterday confirmed one case of monkeypox in the state and 32 suspected cases.

The state Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike, disclosed this to reporters in Abakaliki.

According to Mr Umezuruike, since the outset of the disease, Ebonyi had recorded a total of 32 suspected cases with only one confirmed.

“Case fatality rate is still 0 (as there have been no record of any death both in suspected and confirmed cases) in the state.”

He said this followed the notification of a suspected case of monkeypox on 10 August at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.

“A 32-year old male, a native of Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi but resides in Abakaliki, said to have travelled to Rivers State returned to Ebonyi on July 7.

“The man is presented with history of fever, masculopapular rash, sore throat, headache and generalised weakness of the body.

“A presumptive diagnosis of Monkeypox was made to rule out Smallpox. Sample was collected and sent to the NCDC National Reference Laboratory and the result came out positive for Monkeypox Virus.

“The patient was admitted into Ebonyi Isolation Centre and is currently being managed for monkeypox and he is responding to treatment,” he stated.