The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called for calm on the reported suspected cases of Monkey pox disease in Bayelsa State, saying that concerted efforts are on ground to curtail further spread of the virus.
Adewole, who disclosed this on Thursday in his office in Abuja, stated that health facilities in Bayelsa State had been placed on alert as the patients suspected of having Monkey pox have been quarantined.
The health minister added that supportive treatments were being offered to the victims, saying that there was no cause for alarm. Adewole also disclosed that Monkey pox is a viral illness by a group of viruses that included chicken pox and small pox.
He further said, ‘Investigation is still ongoing and our partners are working with us on this reported outbreak’ while the NCDC team in Bayelsa State would give necessary support’.
According to Adewole, although Monkey pox cannot be confirmed until laboratory investigations by World Health Organization (WHO) referral laboratory in Dakar, Senegal says so, Monkey pox is milder and has no record of mortality.
He said, “The symptoms include headache, fever, back pains and in advanced cases, rashes bigger than those caused by chicken pox.
“Anyone with symptoms of monkey pox should immediately report to the nearest health facility, while health workers are advised to maintain a high index of suspicion and observe safety percussion.”
He said that the virus is mild, saying that there was no known treatment and no preventive vaccines, hence the public should be at alert and avoid crowded places as much as possible.
The health minister however advised the public to avoid eating dead animals, bush meat and bush monkeys.
