Read About--The MONKEYPOX disease-SCARY AND AWFUL Outbreak in Nigeria|Doctor JayBee's Blog

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Monkeypox disease which is classified as a Zoonotic disease (Disease transmitted to humans from animals) was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of research monkeys , reason for the the name ‘monkeypox.’ The first  case of monkeypox that was recorded in  humans was in 1970 in the
Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then monkeypox has been reported in humans in other central and western African countries. The disease is caused by a virus.

human monkey pox virus

Three weeks ago, a case of the monkeypox disease was detected in BAYELSA STATE, Nigeria. As of today, 31 cases have already been recorded in over 5 different states(Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross River State.) in Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC(National Center for Disease Control) , declared that the agency was awaiting the laboratory results and confirmation of the 31 suspected cases.

Consequently, the Lagos State Government through the commissioner of health, Jide Idris, confirmed that there exist 2 cases currently being contained at a private hospital within the state. Without disclosing the identity of the persons and location of the outbreak, the commissioner assured citizens that the cases are currently being investigated and there was no need to panic.

The state of Ekiti is the latest addition to the number of infected states and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade confirmed the outbreak.

“We have two cases at Okemesi Ekiti. Tests are still being carried out and not until it is confirmed, we can’t come out with any official statement,” Dr Alade mentioned.

Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis with symptoms(although less severe) in humans similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients.The virus is transmitted to humans from various wild animals but has limited secondary spread through human-to-human transmission.

Nigeria in 2014 faced a similar crisis with the sudden spread of the Ebola virus. However, the crisis never rose to an endemic stage and within three months, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free.

According to the authors of “Transmission dynamics and control of Ebola virus disease outbreak in Nigeria, July to September 2014”, a paper published on the 9th of october 2014 in Eurosurveillance, Nigeria’s success in “avoiding a far worse scenario” is attributed to its “quick and forceful” response.

The authors point to 3 key elements in the country’s attack:

• Fast and thorough tracing of all potential contacts
•  ongoing monitoring of all of these contacts
•  rapid isolation of potentially infectious contacts.                     The swift battle was won not only with vigilant disinfecting, port-of-entry screening and rapid isolation but also with boot leather and lots and lots of in-person follow-up visits, completing 18,500 of them to find any new cases of Ebola among a total of 989 identified contacts.

Just like Ebola, Nigerians ought to take extra precautionary measures to ensure that the outbreak of the monkeypox virus is nipped in the bud before it spreads to become endemic. 

How to prevent the rapid spread of Monkeypox disease(according to the Centre for Disease Control-CDC )

• Avoid contact with animals that could harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where monkey-pox occurs).
• Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick animal.
• Isolate infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.
• Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans. For example, washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.