The recent outbreak of Monkey Pox in key areas of the nation has become one of major concern. The viral disease which was first identified in Bayelsa with no fewer than 11 victims affected, gradually spread to neighbouring Akwa Ibom state and later to Rivers State respectively.
Every state in Nigeria is on high alert now by health authorities and so should you. Before we go on, what is Monkey Pox?
Monkey Pox is a rare disease that can cause a fatal illness in humans and though similar to small pox, it is much milder. The monkeypox virus is transmitted to people from various wild animals but can also be spread through human-to-human transmission. At the moment, there is no treatment or vaccine available for treating this disease.
Symptoms of MonkeyPox
The illness begins with
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
According to www.cdc.gov , within 1-3 days (sometimes longer) after the fever appears, the patient develops a rash which often begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.
The illness is said to typically last for 2−4 weeks.
Now that you know what Monkey Pox is, how it is transmitted and its symptoms; you need to know how to prevent it. Prevention is always better than cure, so here goes…
4 ways to prevent Monkey Pox
Avoid contact with animals that could harbour the virus. This includes sick animals or those that have been found in areas where Monkeypox occurs.
Avoid consumption of bush meat as you cannot be certain which is contaminated with MonkeyPox.
Avoid contact with any materials, such as clothing or bedding, that has been in contact with an infected person or animal.
Practice good hand hygiene whether or not you have had contact with an infected person. Take the same kind of precaution that you took during the unfortunate incident of the Ebola virus in Nigeria. Wash your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Remember that even though the affected states may seem far from where you stay, you cannot predict who travels, when they travel and with what they travel.
Practicing good hygiene and being watchful for symptoms in persons around you can keep you and others in tip top shape.
