Home HEALTH Monkeypox looks and sounds a lot worse than it actually is –...

Monkeypox looks and sounds a lot worse than it actually is – NCDC

528
0

Following the outbreak of monkeypox in Bayelsa state, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has called for calm, noting that the diseases looks and sounds a lot worse than it actually is.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, the chief executive officer of NCDC, told NAN on Saturday that the centre was taking steps to manage the cases and prevent further spread of the disease.

According to Ihekweazu, a rapid response team from the NCDC has been deployed to support the Bayelsa state government in the investigations and public health response.

He said 13 cases were reported, but most of them have been discharged except four who are still receiving treatment. He said all of them are doing well and no death reported.

READ ALSO  BREAKING: NCDC announce 14 new COVID-19 cases as toll hit 288

Ihekweazu said if cases are detected early and well managed, the chances are that they will survive.

“It is a self limiting illness, which means that there is no specific treatment for the virus,” he said.

“The key thing is to bring in patients with characteristic rash on their face, which is what stands monkeypox out from other diseases.

“Monkeypox looks like an extreme case of chickenpox, but a little bit more severe and the disease looks and sounds a lot worse than it actually is.

He said apart from monkeys, “the virus circulates in rats, squirrels and bush meat and the period of increased risk is at the point of killing, touching or preparing them. The people at risk are those who kill, touch or cook the animals.

READ ALSO  COVID-19: Deaths in Nigeria hits 200, as NCDC confirms 284 new cases, - 6677 cases in total

“That is those who come in contact with the animals and don’t use protective measure or wash their hands after wards.

“Once the virus gets into the human population, then there is a risk of human to human transmission, which is what has happened in
Bayelsa, but the first contact is from animal to human.”

Ihekweazu explained that monkeypox infection is a relatively rare disease that was previously reported in Nigeria in the 1970s.

He said it is primarily a zoonotic infection that is transmitted primarily from animals to humans, with limited subsequent person-to-person transmission.

READ ALSO  COVID-19: Hospital capacity will no longer be able to cope with cases - NCDC

He further explained that there is no serious aftermath of the disease except staying with the scare of the rash for quite a while.

He therefore assured Nigerians that the NCDC was in control of the situation and was working aggressively to combat its further spread.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.