Current reports reaching us indicate that three (3) of the suspected samples of the Monkey pox virus sent to Senegal for testing have been confirmed. Forty three (43) suspected cases had been reported from eight states with Bayelsa having the highest number, out of the seventeen (17) samples from Bayelsa, three (3) were positive, twelve (12) negative and two (2) results are still outstanding.
The minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole stated we expect that many of the cases being reported from other states in Nigeria are not caused by Monkey pox virus but we will continue to investigate all those cases that fit the case definition.
He urged Nigerians not to panic saying the strain of the virus detected is not deadly and that people should maintain good hygiene as there is no treatment or vaccine for the disease.
Reports also reached us that a victim of the monkey pox virus quarantined at Niger Delta University Okolobiri in Yenogoa local government area; Bayelsa committed suicide but that the death was not in any way due to the Monkey pox infection.
What is Monkey Pox?
Monkey Pox is a rare viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted primarily from animals to humans with limited subsequent person to person transmission. Most common animal hosts are squirrels, rats and sometimes monkeys. In previous outbreaks, death had occurred between 1 and 10% of infected cases with most deaths occurring in younger age groups.
If you missed our earlier post on the symptoms, treatment and prevention of the Monkey Pox infection, click here to read all about it.
To report any suspected case, call
NCDC toll free no 0800-970000-10
SMS – 08099555577
Whatsapp – 07087110839
Twitter/facebook : @NCDCgov
LET’S TALK AMENORRHEA
September 30, 2023
