Monkeypox Infection: NCDC Issues Stern Warning About Viral Disease

• Amid the spread of Monkeypox infection, NCDC has warned that there is no effective treatment for the  disease. 

• Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) admonished Nigerians to imbibe some preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease. 

• This is coming after reported cases of the disease globally.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned there are no specific treatments for the monkeypox infection. The agency has urged Nigerians to take safety measures to avoid contracting the disease.

A post on the NCDC’s website reads:

“There are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, although various novel antiviral have in-vitro and animal data supportive effects such as Brincindofocir and Tecovirimat.”

In a separate interview, Prof Marycelin Baba, a virologist at the University of Maiduguri made it clear that monkeypox is a mutation of smallpox. 

He also added that many years ago during the smallpox pandemic, there was no cure for the disease until a vaccine was developed. This he believes might be the fate of monkeypox in the future.

It is pertinent to note that NCDC already confirmed 15 out of the 46 suspected cases of monkeypox infection in Nigeria.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease is endemic to the west and central African countries and has sprung up in some European countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, etc.

Monkeypox infection is a viral disease transmitted to humans from animals by the virus Zoonosis. It belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family poxviridae.

The virus was first discovered in 1958 in colonies of monkeys kept for research. The first case of monkeypox in the human population was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970.

Symptoms of this viral disease are very similar to those seen in Smallpox patients. Some of which include swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, and backache.

Read also: Pfizer Announces 3rd COVID Vaccine for Children is 80% Effective 

Monkeypox infection can be transmitted from one person to another by close contents with body fluids such as respiratory droplets, blood, lesions, etc.

According to a statement released by WHO, monkeypox outbreaks are now being discovered in countries where they are not endemic. 

Some measures that can be taken to curb the spread of the infection include; 

•  Avoid close contact with animals both dead and alive.
• Ensure that meat is cooked thoroughly before consumption.
• Regular washing of hands with soap and water.

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