The Federal Government says health facilities in Bayelsa have been placed on alert following the outbreak of suspected monkey pox in the state.
The minister of health, Isaac Adewole, in a statement issued by Boade Akinola, director, Media and Public Relations of the ministry, in Abuja says the patients suspected of having monkey pox in the state have been quarantined and supportive treatments offered to the victims.
According to him, Monkey pox could not be confirmed until laboratory investigations by WHO referral laboratory in Dakar, Senegal, says so.
“Investigation is still on-going and our partners are working with us on this reported outbreak, while the NCDC team in Bayelsa state would give support,” says Adewole.
The minister calls for calm on the reported suspected cases of the disease in the state, assuring, however, that monkey pox is milder and has no record of mortality.
According to him, monkey pox is a viral illness by a group of viruses that include chicken pox and small pox.
“Anyone with symptoms of monkey pox should immediately report to the nearest health facility, while health workers are advised to maintain a high index of suspicion and observe safety percussion.”
The minister also advises the public to avoid eating dead animals, bush meat and particularly bush monkeys.
Bayelsa State government has also allayed fears of possible epidemic following the outbreak of a contagious viral disease called “monkey pox” in the state.
The state commissioner for health, Ebitimitula Etebu says the state government is on top of the situation.
Etebu says the government has contained the outbreak and commenced public sensitisation to curtail spread of the virus.
He discloses that 11 persons, including a medical doctor, have been quarantined at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri, Yenagoa local government area.
Etebu adds that samples of the virus have been sent to the World Health Organisation reference laboratory in Dakar for confirmation.
Joshua Bassey
