*The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control warns Nigeria鈥檚 risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus is high, urges members of the public to remain aware of the risk and adhere to public health safety measures

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said the recorded a total of 21 confirmed cases with one death in nine states and the FCT as of May 29, 2022.

绿帽献妻 reports the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in its latest report on Monkeypox, disclosed that the country recorded six cases and one death May this year.

Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.

The health regulatory agency stated that Nigeria鈥檚 risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus is high, based on the recent risk assessment it conducted.

The NCDC, in its latest epidemiological summary on Monkeypox, published Sunday, May 29 noted that since January 2022, Nigeria had continued to report sporadic cases of the disease.

Monkeypox, as an uncommon disease caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus, originated from West and Central African countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

However, the disease has been reported in other countries of the world, including the United States (US), United Kingdom (US) Canada and Italy.

The NCC also noted that as of May 29, a total of 21 confirmed cases with one death have been reported from nine states and the FCT 鈥� Adamawa (5), Lagos (4), Bayelsa (2), Delta (2), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Imo (1), and Rivers (1).

One death was reported in a 40-year-old patient who had underlying co-morbidity and was on immunosuppressive medications, said the health regulatory agency.

The NCDC further said that among the 21 cases reported in 2022 so far, there had been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus, nor changes in its clinical manifestation documented (including symptoms, profile and virulence).

It further said that a National Technical Working Group (TWG) was set up and saddled with the task of monitoring infections and strengthening preparedness and response capacity.

Genomic surveillance is ongoing at NCDC鈥檚 National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and so far all of the cases have been confirmed to be caused by the West African clade Monkeypox virus, it stated.

NCDC noted: 鈥淭he TWG coordinated the development of national Monkeypox guidelines, capacity building of healthcare workers and surveillance officers on case detection, sample collection, laboratory testing for confirmation and sequencing of the virus at NCDC鈥檚 National Reference Laboratory.”

It also intensified public awareness through risk communication to Nigerian consumers.

The Emergency Operations Centre for Monkeypox, it said, will continue to monitor the evolving situation to inform public health action accordingly.

The health regulator further said: 鈥淪ymptoms of Monkeypox include sudden fever, headache, body pain, weakness, sore throat, enlargement of glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and under the jaw, followed by the appearance of a rash (often solid or fluid-filled at the onset) on the face, palms, soles of the feet, genitals and other parts of the body.”

The agency as well urged members of the public should remain aware of the risk of Monkeypox and adhere to public health safety measures.

The centre urged the public to report to the nearest health facility if they noticed the known signs and symptoms of the disease.

It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Monkeypox and report any suspected case to the relevant state Epidemiology Team for prompt public health intervention including sampling for confirmatory testing.

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