The health sector of Borno State has announced that it is currently being challenged with an outbreak of Monkey Pox, following the confirmation of three out of four samples that were sent to the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC as positive.
Monkeypox which is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) is said to have symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.
Dr. Lawi Mshelia, the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, while speaking to journalists yesterday said that “two of the cases were reported from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, where they are currently receiving treatment, while the other patient was reported from Biu local government area in southern Borno.”
According to the Director, one of the patients had been discharged from the hospital about a week ago.
However, in a bid to ensure that there is indeed enough awareness and enhanced prevention of epidemic-prone diseases including monkey pox, Cholera, and COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has embarked on a sensitisation programme.
Dr. Richard Lako, WHO Northeast Emergency Manager, in a statement said the team (community health champions) was also engaging with communities to avail themselves of COVID-19 vaccination, saying “it remains important that no individual should be left out from receiving COVID-19 vaccination.”
