Two severe cases of monkeypox outbreak recorded in Plateau
Two positive cases of monkey pox has been recorded by the Plateau State Government in Shendam Local Government Area of the state.
The state ministry of health confirmed an increase from an initial 87 to 126 suspected cases.
Dr Kunden Deyin, the state Commissioner for Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Jos that “The first case recorded was imported from Port-Harcourt, as the victim came in from Rivers for treatment.
“The state’s Epidemiology and Surveillance unit of the ministry are still monitoring the contacts to curtail the spread of the disease”.
The commissioner said that the symptoms of monkeypox were similar to that of chickenpox but more severe.
He said that the disease is primarily transmitted from animal to man while the secondary source of transmission is through human to human contact.
Deyin warned that people who kill, touch or cook bush animals, such as rats, squirrels and monkeys were at risk of contracting the disease as they serve as reservoirs of the virus.
Deyin also called on the public to report any sign of unexplained rashes to the nearest health facility.
