Nigeria: The government of Ebonyi State informed that the state had recorded its first case of Monkeypox on Monday, August 15, 2022.
While interacting with and briefing the journalist in Abakaliki on the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike, shared the information about the affected person, a 32-year-old man, hailing from Ugwulangwu Onicha Local Council. He confirmed that the person was receiving treatment at the state isolation centre.
The Commissioner added that the affected person originally lives in Abakaliki. He had travelled to Rivers State and returned to Ebonyi on July 7, 2022. The person is reported to have had a history of fever, maculopapular rash, sore throat, headache and weakness of the body.
According to Umezurike, a presumptive diagnosis of Monkeypox was made to rule out Smallpox, adding that a sample was collected and sent to the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) national reference laboratory. The result came out positive for the monkeypox virus.
Umezurike stressed that the index case is responding to treatment. Seven contacts have been identified thus far and are currently being followed up.
He further stated that the state had recorded 32 suspected cases, out of which only one has been confirmed.
The Commissioner for Health noted that the case fatality rate is still zero as there has been no record of any death in the suspected or confirmed cases in the state.
The Commissioner for Health advised the Ebonyians to remain calm and continue their regular businesses. He told them to avoid self-medication and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility.
He noted that public health measures are strictly adhered to, emphasising that all the treatment is free and supported by the state government.
He warned that Monkey Pox could also be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets, contact with infected persons or contaminated materials.
“Control measures include; isolation of confirmed cases, strict adherence to universal precautions, especially frequent hand-washing with soap and water, use of face mask, maintaining social distance from suspected and confirmed cases, avoid contact with a rodent, meat should be properly cooked before consumption and use of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers,” he said.
