Nigeria now reports 38 confirmed monkeypox cases

The number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Nigeria has risen to 38 in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as of Nov. 2, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This is up from nine confirmed cases reported Oct. 27.

Since the onset of the outbreak, a total of 116 suspected cases have been recorded from 20 States and the FCT; no death attributable to Monkeypox has been recorded so far.

Of these, 38 laboratory confirmed cases from Akwa Ibom, Bayel sa, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Lagos, Rivers and FCT. All other suspected cases reported from other States are being investigated.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease indigenous to Central Africa. In humans, the disease is similar to smallpox, though milder.

According to the CDC, the symptoms of monkeypox are as follows: About 12 days after people are infected with the virus, they will get a fever, headache, muscle aches, and backache; their lymph nodes will swell; and they will feel tired. One to 3 days (or longer) after the fever starts, they will get a rash. This rash develops into raised bumps filled with fluid and often starts on the face and spreads, but it can start on other parts of the body too. The bumps go through several stages before they get crusty, scab over, and fall off. The illness usually lasts for 2 to 4 weeks.

Rodents, such as rope squirrels, door mice and pouched rats, are the suspected reservoir hosts, with monkeys and humans as secondary, spill-over hosts.

People at risk for monkeypox are those who get bitten by an infected animal or if you have contact with the animal’s rash, blood or body fluids. It can also be transmitted person to person through respiratory or direct contact and contact with contaminated bedding or clothing.

There is no specific treatment for monkeypox.

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