Cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Nigeria

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed fifteen cases of monkeypox in seven states between January 1 and April 30, 2022.

The confirmed cases were selected from the 46 suspected cases recorded during the time period, and it was discovered that Lagos and Adamawa states had the highest numbers of three each.

This comes after the United Kingdom Health Security Agency confirmed that a Nigerian traveller had monkeypox.

According to a statement issued by the NCDC, no deaths have been reported as a result of the disease this year.

The health agency stated that it would conduct active case searches in facilities and communities where positive cases had been reported in the country.
The report read;

“Since September 2017, Nigeria has continued to report sporadic cases of monkeypox. The Monkeypox National Technical Working Group has been monitoring cases and strengthening preparedness/response capacity.

“A total of 46 suspected cases have been reported between January 1 and April 30, 2022. Of the suspected cases, 15 were confirmed from seven states – Adamawa (3), Lagos (3), Cross River (2), Federal Capital Territory (2), Kano (2), Delta (2), and Imo (1) – but no death has been recorded.”

The monkeypox virus causes an infectious disease that can affect both animals and humans.

Fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue are the first symptoms.

This is followed by a rash with blisters and crusting. The time between exposure and the onset of symptoms is approximately 10 days. Symptoms last about two to four weeks on average.

Handling bushmeat, an animal bite or scratch, body fluids, contaminated objects, or close contact with an infected person can all spread monkeypox.

The virus is thought to normally circulate in Africa among certain rodents.

[5] A lesion can be tested for virus DNA to confirm the diagnosis. The disease can resemble chickenpox in appearance.

The smallpox vaccine is thought to protect against infection.