Monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria

Monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria

Monkeypox is a rare disease that occurs primarily in remote parts of Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. The monkeypox virus can cause a fatal illness in humans and although it is similar to human smallpox which has been eradicated, it is much milder.

Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. However, monkeypox still occurs sporadically in some parts of Africa.

So far there has been 74 suspected cases recorded in 11 states in Nigeria. The affected States are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers as well as the FCT.

The virus was first discovered in monkeys in 1958 (hence the name), and in humans in 1970. Between 1970 and 1986, over 400 cases in humans were reported. Small viral outbreaks with a death rate in the range of 10% and a secondary human to human infection rate of about the same amount occur routinely in equatorial Central and West Africa.

Causes: 

Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms begin with fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes and feeling tired. This is then followed by a rash that forms blisters and scabs over. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is around 10 days. The duration of symptoms is typically 2 to 4 weeks. 

Monkeypox may be spread from handling of bush meat, an animal bite or scratch, body fluids, contaminated objects or close contact with an infected person. The virus is believed to normally circulate among certain rodents in Africa. Diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a Person for the viruses DNA. The disease can appear similar to chickenpox.

The risk of death in those infected is up to 10%.

Monkeypox was first identified in 1958 among laboratory monkeys. The first cases in humans were found in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.


Monkeypox Outbreak in USA

The first reported outbreak in the United States occurred in 2003 in the midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, with one occurrence in New Jersey.  However the virus outbreak was later traced to a pet store where imported Gambian rodents were sold.

Prevention
 
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that persons investigating monkeypox outbreaks and involved in caring for infected individuals or animals should receive a smallpox vaccination to protect against monkeypox. Persons who have had close or intimate contact with individuals or animals confirmed to have monkeypox should also be vaccinated.

Treatment

Currently, there is no proven, safe treatment for monkeypox. The people who have been infected can be vaccinated up to 14 days after exposure.

2017 Nigeria outbreak

Monkey pox has been reportedly spread around south east and south south Nigeria. Some states and the federal government of Nigeria are currently seeking for a way to contain it as well as find a cure for the infected ones.

Monkeypox is not a death sentence. 

Written by Admin