With the world just recovering from the effects of a pandemic that held everybody at it’s mercy for the past two years, it seems like we’re facing yet another outbreak.
In recent months, the WHO has reported the largest Monkeypox outbreak in the last 50 years outside of Africa. From France to Portugal to Australia to the UAE and even Canada, Monkeypox cases have been popping up all over the world. However, unlike the Covid-19 pandemic, this isn’t as threatening. The disease does not spread as easily between people, and infected people can get healthy in a couple weeks. According to the World Health Organization, the case fatality ratio of monkeypox is between 3% to 6%.
The fact that the disease is not as deadly or as easily contractible as the coronavirus does not mean we shouldn’t be safe. First, what is the Monkeypox virus?
It is a rare disease caused by infection with monkeypox virus. You can get infected with the monkeypox virus through contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or humans (alive or dead), including respiratory droplets, or through contact with materials contaminated with the virus.
READ MORE: NCDC Confirms Monkeypox Cases In Nigeria
Early symptoms include a fever, intense headaches, muscle aches, back pain, general lack of energy and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash.
So how can you prevent the spread of Monkeypox?
Prior vaccination against smallpox has proven to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Also, avoid contact with sick people, animals such as rodents (rats, squirrels) and non-human primates (monkeys, chimpanzees). Furthermore, products that come from wild animals and contaminated materials (such as clothing or bedding) used by sick people or animals should be avoided.
On June 12 2022, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed there has been 36 cases of Monkeypox in 2022 with only one death recorded.
Our #Monkeypox situation report as of 12th June has been published.
This situation report provides a summary of the current situation of #Monkeypox in Nigeria, and our preparedness & response activities.
Download via:https://t.co/e73aeTJbpJ pic.twitter.com/bmkt3IueZC
— NCDC (@NCDCgov) June 14, 2022
