About nine persons have been allegedly hospitalised as the dreaded monkeypox disease hit Delta State.

Media sources reported on Thursday that six of the affected persons were from Agbor, where the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, hails from.

A doctor at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, who confirmed the development to The PUNCH said the remaining victims were from around the state capital.

It was gathered that the victims were diagnosed of the disease on Wednesday, adding that their blood samples have been collected for tests.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge denied the outbreak of the disease in the state.