Monkey Pox: We’re on red alert in Ondo, says state govt

The Ondo State Ministry of Health on Sunday said there is no cause for alarm among the residents of the state despite some reported cases of the viral monkey pox in the neighboring states.

In preparation for tackling the possible outbreak of the viral disease in the state, the health ministry has rolled out two public mobile lines: 08033526714 or 08135896190 for immediate complains.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, in the state made the assurance while allaying fears of the residents over the highly contagious viral disease.

Dr. Adegbenro said that the government and health officials in state hospitals are on top of the situation by ensuring the viral disease doesn’t spread into Ondo state and called for easy calm among the residents.

This was contained in a statement signed by the press officer in the Ministry, Abooluwa Famakinwa, and issued to journalists in Akure, the state capital.

The Health Commissioner noted that all government hospitals in the state have been placed on a red alert to be on the lookout for cases of infected persons.

He revealed that a 24-hour emergency team has been launched to monitor any signs of the money pox through a proper surveillance of the eighteen local council areas of the state.

According to him, proactive measures have been put in place which included the provisions of Isolation wards in all state specialists Hospitals, a large scale sensitisation and public enlightenment both in the in print, electronics as well as the social media space.

Dr.Adegbenro stated that the contagious viral infection is transmitted by Monkeys, Squirrels and other animals and in the same class as chicken and small pox.

He disclosed that the Monkey Pox was first discovered in the Republic of Congo after the elimination of Small Pox noting that it was not as bad as the old Small Pox or Ebola.

Dr. Adegbenro listed symptoms of the Monkey pox to include severe headache, fever, sore throat, body and back ache as well as rashes all over the body.

“So, the incubation period is between 6 – 16 days and its antidote is personal and environmental hygiene” he added.

The Commissioner for Health also urged the residents of the state to avoid eating bush meat and protect themselves from physical contact with infected persons.

“The residents should ensure that their meats are thoroughly cooked before they eat them and let us be watchful so that any suspected case is immediately reported to the nearest hospital.”

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure