The Delta State Government has stated that it has put the machinery in place to ensure that the monkey pox outbreak in some states of the federation does not enter the state.

According to a statement signed in Asaba on Friday by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, arrangements had been concluded with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for the rapid transfer of samples collected from suspected cases for confirmation.

Ukah said that the state is maintaining constant border patrol of the three Local Government Areas–Patani, Bomadi and Burutu–that have common borders with Bayelsa State to forestall possible transfer of the disease into the state.

This is in addition to the disease outbreak prevention and case management materials that have been pre-positioned in the threeborderLGAs to forestall possible importation of the disease.

The Commissioner revealed that the state Rapid Response team had also been placed on Red Alert to respond to emergencies wherever they may occur in the state.

Ukah appealed to the citizens not to panic as adequate arrangements had been made to prevent and curtail the outbreak of the disease in the state.

He advised persons living in the state to report any person having the signs and symptoms of the disease to the nearest health centre or hospital immediately.