BREAKING NEWS: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says there has been an outbreak of MonkeyPox.

There are 59 suspected cases,

15 cases already confirmed.

Reading further, I will tell you all you need to know on monkeypox.

There is a gentleman from Dallas Texas who recently returned from Nigeria and has tested positive to the disease- he is being managed by the USA health authorities.

As the time of this blog post, Nigeria has 15 confirmed cases of MonkeyPox and 59 people suspected to have it.

Reading on.

So what is MonkeyPox?

It is a rare viral infection occurring primarily in remote parts of Central/West Africa, including Nigeria, near the tropical rainforest.

It is a viral zoonosis (that means a disease transmitted from animals to humans) because it was first seen in monkeys. 

So what causes MonkeyPox?

Monkeypox disease is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.

Monkeypox virus is an Orthopoxvirus which includes Variola virus (the cause of smallpox), so MonkeyPox and smallpox are quite similar.

But thankfully MonkeyPox is milder than Smallpox.

What are the common symptoms of MonkeyPox?

Fever

Headache

Muscle aches

Backache

Swollen lymph nodes

Armpit and Groin Swellings

Chills

Tiredness

Skin Rashes/vesicles 

The fever starts first, then after 1-3 days, they develop a rash, first on the face then spreading everywhere.

What is the incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for MonkeyPox? It is usually 7−14 days but can be from 5−21 days.

How long does MonkeyPox last for?

The illness typically lasts for 2−4 weeks. For those who survive the illness.

Up to 90% of people survive.

What’s the survival rate for MonkeyPox?

Sadly, monkeypox can kill as many as 1 in every 10 infected persons. This is why we must prevent massive spread.

The worst cases occur among children and death or survival is based on having a good immune system and less severe disease. 

How is MonkeyPox transmitted?

Mostly from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or the skin of infected bushmeat and monkeys.

People get #MonkeyPox virus from bare handling of infected monkeys & giant bushrats. Eating hastily and improperly cooked bushmeat is also risky. 

You can also get #MonkeyPox if you keep close contact with an infected person, touch the skin rashes or any objects recently used by them.

This is why it is important to please take to the hospital ASAP if you see anyone with any rash similar to this because you are at risk. 

There’s NO place for self treatment or keeping someone with #MonkeyPox at home. It’s too dangerous.

Family members and close friends are particularly at very high risk of catching and spreading the #MonkeyPox virus if nobody reports it. 

What is the treatment?

NO specific treatments, NO vaccines and NO cure for monkeypox.

Anyone who had smallpox vaccine is about 85% protected.

But that vaccine is not available again to the general public and it was discontinued following global smallpox eradication in 1977. 

So ladies & gentlemen,in the absence of any specific treatment or vaccines for #MonkeyPox, we have to focus our energies on PREVENTION.

How can we prevent the spread of #MonkeyPox ?

1. Close physical contact with infected people should/must be avoided/discouraged by all means.

2. Gloves and protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill people. And this care should NEVER be at home but a hospital.

3. Regular proper hand washing should be done after caring for or visiting sick people.

Or as a general rule:

Please WASH your hands regularly.4. The ideal advice is to STOP buying roadside bushmeat as it is highly risky since you cannot tell if the animal is infected or not. Best to buy from a reputable hygienic abbatoir/store.

5. IF you have to buy bushmeat, pls make sure you thoroughly cook it well before eating.

6. Hunters and butchers should please wear appropriate protective clothing while handling animals or the meat, and during slaughtering.

Finally, remember to always buy your meats from safe places, cook properly;

Always wash hands with soap and water;

And help educate others.

Share on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and educate everyone.

Remember:

IF you see this rash, report to hospital.

But PREVENTION is the key!