Mrs. Peace Nwogwugwu, the state's epidemiologist, made the claim on Wednesday in Umuahia.
She addressed a one-day sensitization session that the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Abia Ministry of Health jointly organized.
“Currently, 40 suspected cases have been investigated and nine confirmed in five Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.
“Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ikwuano and Umunneochi local government areas had two cases each, while Aba North had one case.
“Government has ensured that all necessary outbreak response activities have been activated.
“This is to quickly contain the outbreak within the shortest period,’’ Nwogwugwu said.
The workshop was planned, according to Mrs. Oluchi Ikechukwu-Odionyenfe, Chairperson of the NAWOJ Caretaker Committee in Abia, so that NAWOJ members may join the battle against monkey pox.
The NUJ chairman in Abia, Mr. Victor Ndukwe, who spoke at the workshop as well, called it a brave move to stop incorrect interpretation of the illness.
Ndukwe applauded the organizers and asked pertinent organizations to promote public awareness of the illness in rural regions.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
