Lagos, Akwa Ibom, C’River record cases of monkeypox

Benjamin Omoike (Lagos), Edem Bassey (Calabar)

The Lagos State Government has revealed that two suspected cases of monkey pox have been recorded in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday, saying that the two suspected cases were currently being investigated.

“Though, no confirmed case has been recorded, there is need to sensitise members of the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the disease in line with the policy of the state government,” he said.

Idris disclosed that the two suspected cases were recorded in a private hospital, which he did not disclose.

He added that one of the suspects came in from Bayelsa State and ate bush meat.

Idris said the two suspects were currently being quarantined in the various houses pending the result of the investigation.

The Commissioner said since the break of the disease, the state government had reiterated the need for members of the public to observe and maintain a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times- as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread to the State.

He urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspected case of the disease to the nearest public health facility or the Directorate of Disease Control in the State Ministry of Health.

“Also, health workers are advised to practice universal safety precautions in the management of suspected or confirmed cases, where appropriate personal protective equipment when attending to cases, wash hands after each contact with patients or contaminated materials, while surveillance systems must be strengthened.

“The State government has mobilised the Disease Surveillance Officers in the 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the State and health workers in both public and private health facilities have been placed on high alert,” Idris said.

He called on residents of the State to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear as the government had put in place adequate measures to effectively prevent and control the spread of the infection to the State.

“In case of any suspected case of monkey pox, the Lagos State Ministry of Health should be notified through the following mobile lines: 08037170614, 09087106072,” he said.

Also, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have recorded first case of Monkeypox. The states have one case each. In Akwa Ibom, besides the confirmed case, two other victims are undergoing thorough investigations whereas, in Cross River, the one case recorded has not been confirmed but undergoing thorough investigations and has been quarantined.

The Commissioner for Health, Cross River, Dr. Inyang Asibong, told our correspondent on phone on Monday that the only suspected case has been quarantined adding that the victim was undergoing thorough investigations saying, “It has not been confirmed yet but we are investigating it. The victim has been quarantined.”

The Commissioner, however, called on the general public, especially those living in the area to be careful and avoid close contacts with each other as the incubation period of Monkeypox disease is usually from six to 16 days but can range from five to 21 days.

Already, the state has dispatched Disease Surveillance and Response team to Ikom. It was also gathered that the state epidemiology team has also collected samples from the suspect and sent to Abuja for proper investigation whilst they continue contact tracing and isolation of the suspect.

She, however, explained that the symptoms to watch out for includes fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph node, back pain, muscle ache and an intense lack of energy then finally the skin erupts with rashes mostly on the face, palms and soles of the feet.

The evolution of the rash from lesions with a flat base to small fluid-filled blisters, pustules, followed by crusts occurs in approximately 10 days. Three weeks might be necessary before the complete disappearance of the crusts.

Dr Asibong appealed to general public to be on the alert and not hesitate to report any suspected case to the State Epidemiology Department or appropriate authorities immediately.

“Avoiding close physical contacts with body fluids of suspects, regular hand washing especially after caring for or visiting sick people and thoroughly cooking all animal products before eating are the best preventive measures against human to human transmission.

“There should be no cause for alarm and everyone should go about their normal business as the suspect is being properly managed in one of the isolation units. When Daily Times contacted the Cross River State Epidemiologist, Patience Uke, on phone, she said she was on her way to Ikom to investigate the matter.

The case in Akwa Ibom State has been confirmed by that State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udo. A statement released and signed by the commissioner said that the state ministry of health was on top of the matter.

Udoh urged the citizens to remain calm and report any case of the virus to the authority to aid the eradication of the disease (Monkeypox).

“Monkeypox currently has no treatment and no vaccine. It looks like smallpox but the rashes are larger while the disease is milder.

“The era of avoiding excessive handshake, regular hand washing and abstinence from bush meat is here again. We will provide more information subsequently,” the statement added.