Winifred Bosa , Lagos

Rivers, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ogun and Cross River States have been reported to have suspected cases of monkeypox , following the notification of a suspected monkeypox outbreak on the 22nd of September, 2017 in Bayelsa State.

This disease , a rare viral zoonotic disease (from animal to man) caused by Monkey pox virus so far has no death recorded but has affected 31people across the 7 States  .

Reporting this , Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said that Samples have been collected from each suspected case for laboratory confirmation adding that It is unlikely that many of the suspected cases are actually monkeypox.

The National Coordinator of NCDC  Chikwe Ihekweazu , further pointed out that all the suspected cases are currently receiving appropriate medical care, and the patients are all improving clinically in their various States.

He emphasized , “Nigerians are once advised to remain calm, avoid self-medication and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility. Public health authorities across the country have been well informed on what to do when a suspected case arises”.

In Lagos , two cases are suspected and these two are currently being investigated in the State.

Explaining the situation , the Lagos state Commissioner of Health , Dr. Jide Idris said that though there is no specific vaccine for the disease, vaccination against Small pox has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing Monkey pox.

” There is also no specific anti-viral therapy for Monkey pox, however the disease is self-limiting and could be managed conservatively. “

He listed the preventive measures to be taken against the spread of the disease to include; avoiding close contact with infected people; avoiding consumption of bush meat and dead animals; cooking of meat and meat product thoroughly before eating and washing of hands with soap and running water frequently and thoroughly.

Reiterating the need for members of the public to observe and maintain a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread to the State , he urged the public  to be vigilant and report any suspected case of the disease to the nearest public health facility or the Directorate of Disease Control in the State Ministry of Health through these mobile lines: 08037170614, 09087106072 or 08052817243.

Dr Idris therefore urged people to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear as the State Government has put in place adequate measures to effectively prevent and control the spread of the infection to the State.

“The State Government has mobilized the Disease Surveillance Officers in the 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the State and health workers in both public and private health facilities have been placed on high alert.”

Human is usually infected through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluid, cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals or through handling of infected monkeys, Gambian giant rats, Squirrels rodents and the common bush-meat (in local parlance) are the major reservoirs of the virus.

Human to human transmission can also occur through close contacts with infected respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or object recently contaminated by patient’s fluid or lesion materials and eating undercooked meat of infected animal is a possible risk factor.

Therefore , health workers are advised to practice universal safety precautions in the management of suspected or confirmed cases, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when attending to cases, wash hands after each contact with patient or contaminated materials while surveillance system must be strengthened.

Monkey Pox should be suspected in any person with rash, fever, chills, sweats, headache, backache, lymphadenopathy, sore-throat, cough and shortness of breath.