Nasarawa state government has recorded six confirmed cases of Monkeypox disease in the state.
State commissioner of health Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya disclosed this on Thursday in a press briefing in Lafia.
He said four victims were discovered in Lafia while two were diagnosed in Keffi local government areas of the state since the outbreak occurred in the country.
“They have all recovered from the disease with no deaths. Healthcare workers have been sensitised on the occurrence of this disease, trainings have been conducted, drugs and essential commodities for the treatment of the disease has also been procured.
“Monkey Pox is a viral disease caused by the monkey pox virus, an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family,” he said.
He said the disease was severe amongst children, pregnant women and the immuno-suppressed.
He further said the disease typically lasts for two to four weeks and is characterised by fever, headache, muscle pains, shivering, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over.
Pharm. Yahaya advised people to avoid close contact with those who have rash suspected or confirmed to be monkey pox.
“Do not touch the rash or scabs. Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone suspected or confirmed to have rash of monkey pox. Do not share eating utensils with someone who has monkey pox,” he said.
He therefore, said an Emergency Operational Centre (EOC) for Monkeypox has been activated and an incident manager has been appointed.
