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Tag: monkeypox

  • MonkeyPox: Nigeria records 10 additional cases in 7 days – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC ) has recorded 10 additional Monkeypox cases in the last seven days in the country.

    The NCDC disclosed this via it’s official website, in its latest monkeypox situation report released on Friday.

    As global monkeypox cases continue to rise, public-health officials and researchers are questioning whether the current outbreaks can be contained.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the situation was unlikely to escalate into a full-blown pandemic.

    But, there are now more than 1,000 confirmed infections, in nearly 30 countries where outbreaks do not usually occur.

    Countries including Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have begun implementing a strategy called ‘ring vaccination,’ to try to halt the spread of the virus.

    This involves administering smallpox vaccines — which are thought to be effective against monkeypox, because, the viruses are related to people who have been exposed to monkeypox through close contact with an infected person.

    The Agency said that this was reported in epidemiological week 22, from  May 29 to June 5, 2022, in the country.

    It stated that between January 1 and June 5, the country had confirmed a total of 31 cases in 12 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The NCDC  also confirmed that no fewer than 110 suspected cases of the disease had been reported in the country, up from the previous 66 suspected cases.

    “From January 1 to 5 June, 2022, there have been 110 suspected cases in total and 31 confirmed cases from 12 states.

    They are: Adamawa 5, Lagos 6, River 3, Cross River 2, FCT 2, Kano 2, Delta 2, Bayelsa 2, Edo 2, Imo 2, Plateau 2, and Ondo 1.

    “One death was recorded in a 40-year old man, with co-morbidity that was receiving immunosuppressive drugs.

    “There were 10 new positive cases in Epi week 22, 2022, from six states – Edo 2, Rivers 2, Plateau 2, Lagos 2, Ondo 1 and Imo 1,” it said.

    Recall that cases of monkeypox,  a rare, little-known disease, are being investigated in European countries, including the UK, as well as in the US, Canada and Australia.

    In the UK, there have been more than 300 confirmed cases in recent weeks.

    Infections are usually mild and the risk to the general population is low, but the UK government has bought stocks of smallpox vaccine to guard against monkeypox.

    Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.

    It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rain forests.

    In those regions, there have been more than 1,200 cases of monkeypox since the start of the year.

    Two main strains of the virus, west African and Central African, are known to exist, and it’s the milder one from west Africa which is now circulating in other regions of the world.

    The unusually high numbers of people infected with monkeypox outside of Africa, with no travel links to the region, means the virus is now spreading in the communities.

  • NCDC says Monkeypox can be transmitted through sex

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said sexual intercourse happens to be a mode of Monkeypox transmission.

     

    NCDC stated this in a post on its website on Thursday.

     

    The post read, “Symptoms of the illness include fever, headache, body aches, weakness, swollen lymph nodes (glands) and a rash.

     

    After about 1 to 3 days of fever, the ash erupts, beginning on the face and then spreading to the body with the face and palms/soles being mostly affected.

     

    “They can also occur in and around the genitals which is why contact during sex is one mode of transmission. It is mostly a self-limiting illness that often lasts for two to four weeks.”

     

    According to NCDC, no fewer than 21 cases had been confirmed but countries such as the United Kingdom, the US, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Lebanon and Canada among others have reported cases.

     

    The World Health Organisation, in a statement it released last week, noted that the outbreak of the Monkeypox disease is being discovered in countries where it is not endemic.

     

    A Professor of Medical Virology, University of Maiduguri, Prof Marycelin Baba, explained that the disease could be transmitted through skin contact.

     

    “There is a risk of human to human transmission. If you have someone around you who has the infection, it is very easy for you to get infected and sex cannot be ruled out because there is contact,” Baba said.

     

    Also, a medical virologist and immunologist at the Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Dr Oladipo Kolawole, asserted that Monkeypox can overwhelm patients with co-morbidity (existence of more than one disease or condition within the body at the same time) and can lead to death.

     

    Kolawole said, “There are different types of co-morbidity but anybody that is immunocompromised due to a certain disease condition and now has Monkeypox may suffer the possibility of death.

     

    “The meaning is that the person’s immune system is immunocompromised; he cannot handle such infections. So, the power of the virus will overwhelm the immune system of such an individual which may lead to death.”

     

    Monkeypox is a disease endemic to West and Central African countries, can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the disease is deadlier in patients suffering from other diseases.

     

    Monkeypox is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus and belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

     

    The disease has recently surfaced in some European countries, with 66 suspected cases reported so far in Nigeria in 2022.

  • Monkeypox: Stop consumption, selling of bushmeat – FG tells Nigerians

    Monkeypox: Stop consumption, selling of bushmeat – FG tells Nigerians

    Following the recent confirmation of Monkey Pox resurgence in Nigeria, the federal government has called on Nigerians to suspend the sale and consumption of bushmeat.

    A press statement signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, said the order was necessary to prevent any possibility of spillover of the pathogen in Nigeria through the practice of selling and buying of the bushmeat.

    The minister also advised Nigerians to avoid contact with persons suspected to be infected with Monkey Pox at home and at work places and discourage the act of consumption, trade and keeping of non-human primate as well as rodents as pets in homes.

    He said, “All operators of zoos, parks, conservation and recreational centers keeping non-human primates in their domains must ensure strict compliance with their biosecurity protocols aimed at preventing their contacts with humans and all veterinary clinics, veterinary teaching hospitals and other veterinary health institutions across the country must ensure vigilance so as to be able to pick possible signs and symptoms of Monkey Pox in non-human primate (NHP) patients.

    “Transport of wild animals and their products within and across the borders should be suspended/restricted and silos, stores, and other agricultural storage facilities must institute active rodent control measures to prevent contacts and possible contamination of Monkey Pox Virus with foodstuff.

    “We must also ensure regular handwashing using strong disinfectant anytime we handle NHP and rodents in our various locations and the general public are hereby advised to report any pox-like lesions seen on humans or animals to the nearest human or veterinary clinics respectively.”

  • Nigeria has no laboratory where monkeypox virus is generated – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has dismissed the insinuation that Nigeria has laboratories where the monkeypox virus is generated.

    The NCDC gave the clarifications via its official website on Tuesday, as the country continued to report sporadic cases of monkeypox since January 2022.

    According to the alleged report, the Russian Parliamentary Commission for investigating the work of US biological laboratories in Ukraine is planning to discuss information from the Russian Defense Ministry regarding alleged US-controlled laboratories in Nigeria.

    Igor Kirillov, Chief of Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force, was quoted as alleging that, “there are four US-controlled biological laboratories operating in Nigeria.

    “The commission intends to discuss the defense ministry’s information about the possible involvement of US bio laboratories in the emergence of monkeypox”.

    However, the NCDC said that the statement was not backed by any evidence.

    It said the designation and activities of Nigerian public health laboratories are known to the supervising authorities, adding that most of the laboratories having been procured and set up by the Federal Government in the 36 states and FCT for diagnostic purposes, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

    “Some other laboratories are dedicated to the very successful HIV control programme, managed by the Federal Government and her partners, based on larger and longstanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation in public health, including prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of diseases.

    “As a rule, Nigeria welcomes scientific cooperation with all foreign countries, and has received material support from the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan etc, and also discussed vaccine production with Russia.

    “Collaboration between Nigeria and the United States has provided opportunities for technical assistance, capacity building, provision of equipment and field hospitals at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and funds to support health programmes, like HIV/AIDS, malaria elimination,” the agency said.

  • Monkeypox: UK issues measures to control transmission in public

    Health authorities in Britain have set out measures for healthcare professionals and the public for managing Monkeypox virus in the country.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as well as its counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, have also taken thesame measures to control the disease.

    They also set up ways of preventing further transmission as community transmission is occurring here in the UK and other countries.

    Latest official figures show there are now more than 100 confirmed cases in Britain.
    The World Health Organisation (WHO) said globally there are 257 cases confirmed and 120 suspected cases in 23 countries where the virus is not endemic.

    Included in the new guidance is for people to abstain from having sex while symptomatic with monkeypox.
    “There is currently no available evidence of monkeypox in genital excretions.

    “But as a precaution, cases are advised to use condoms for eight weeks after infection.
    “People who have possible, probable or confirmed monkeypox are to isolate at home if they remain well enough.
    “Contacts of someone with monkeypox will also be risk assessed and will isolate for 21 days if necessary.”

    Guidance has also been issued to doctors, nurses and health staff detailing the minimum recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff working with confirmed cases.

    UKHSA said it had also purchased over 20,000 doses of a safe smallpox vaccine, which are being offered to identified close contacts of people diagnosed with monkeypox to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection and severe illness.

    “This new monkeypox guidance sets out important measures for healthcare professionals and the public for managing the disease including how to safely isolate at home and reduce the risk to others.

    “The highest risk of the highest risk of transmission is through direct contact with someone with monkeypox.
    “The risk to the UK population remains low,” Ruth Milton, Senior Medical Advisor and monkeypox Strategic Response Director at UKHSA said.

  • Health Alert: NCDC releases statistics of Monkeypox in Nigeria

    Nigeria has recorded 66 cases of Monkeypox, this was according to statistics released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    NCDC says that between 1st January and May 29th,2002 the country has reported a number of Monkeypox case.

    The breakdown by NCDC shows that  21 were confirmed in nine States,  Adamawa State is leading with 5, Lagos, 4; Cross River, 2; FCT, 2; Kano, 2; Delta, 2; Bayelsa, 2; Rivers, 1; and Imo, 1.

    According to the NCDC, a case of a 40-year-old man, who died with renal co-morbidity and on immue-suppressive drugs, was recorded.

    Read Also:

    Monkeypox: Nigeria reports six cases, one death in May

    The NCDC explained, “The twenty (20) new suspected cases in May 2022 were reported from 11 states – Lagos (5), Bayelsa (2), Adamawa (2), Rivers (2), Niger (2), FCT (2), Delta (1), Oyo (1), Kaduna (1), Edo (1) and Gombe (1).”

    It noted that it is a 100 percent increase in case reporting as compared with April 2022.

    The Centre further explained that the six (6) new confirmed positive cases (out of the 20 suspected cases) in May 2022 were confirmed from four (4) States – Bayelsa (2), Adamawa (2), Lagos (1), and Rivers (1).

    According to the NCDC, it had activated the National Multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre at level 2 to continue to coordinate ongoing response activities.

    Monkeypox is a viral disease that occurs mostly in central and western Africa. It is called monkeypox because it was first identified in laboratory monkeys.

  • Monkeypox: Nigeria reports six cases, one death in May

    Monkeypox: Nigeria reports six cases, one death in May

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in its latest report on Monkeypox, said the country recorded six cases and one death in May.

    The centre said that Nigeria’s risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus was high based on the recent risk assessment it conducted.

    The NCDC in its latest epidemiological summary on Monkeypox which was published on Sunday evening noted that since January 2022, Nigeria had continued to report sporadic cases of the disease.

    Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.

    According to the World Health Organization, the disease is only seen in West and Central African countries.

    It has, however, been reported in other countries of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.

    According to it, this year, as of 29th May 2022, a total of 21 confirmed cases with one death have been reported from 9 states and the FCT – Adamawa (5), Lagos (4), Bayelsa (2), Delta (2), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Imo (1), and Rivers (1).

    It stated that one death was reported in a 40-year-old patient who had underlying co-morbidity and was on immunosuppressive medications.

    The NCDC said that among the 21 cases reported in 2022 so far, there had been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus, nor changes in its clinical manifestation documented (including symptoms, profile and virulence).

    It said a National Technical Working Group (TWG) was set up and saddled with the task of monitoring infections and strengthening preparedness and response capacity.

    The Disease Agency said that Genomic surveillance was ongoing at NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and so far all of the cases have been confirmed to be caused by the West African clade Monkeypox virus.

    “The TWG coordinated the development of national Monkeypox guidelines, capacity building of healthcare workers and surveillance officers on case detection, sample collection, laboratory testing for confirmation and sequencing of the virus at NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory”.

    It also intensified public awareness through risk communication.

    The Agency said that the Emergency Operations Centre for Monkeypox would continue to monitor the evolving situation to inform public health action accordingly.

    “Symptoms of monkeypox include sudden fever, headache, body pain, weakness, sore throat, enlargement of glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and under the jaw, followed by the appearance of a rash (often solid or fluid-filled at the onset) on the face, palms, soles of the feet, genitals and other parts of the body,” it said.

    The NCDC emphasised that members of the public should remain aware of the risk of Monkeypox and adhere to public health safety measures.

    The centre also urged the public to report to the nearest health facility if they noticed the known signs and symptoms of the disease.

    It also advised Healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Monkeypox and report any suspected case to the relevant state Epidemiology Team for prompt public health intervention including sampling for confirmatory testing.

  • Monkey pox: NCDC warns Nigerians over the outbreak of another endemic

    Monkey pox: NCDC warns Nigerians over the outbreak of another endemic

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued out a warning to Nigerians that severe cases of monkeypox, currently being experienced in many countries of the world , are common in children.

    Recall that The World Health Organisation (WHO) has linked the disease to an endemic ravaging West and Central African countries.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the endemic has been diagnosed in few children in the country in the past few days.

    A new development shows that the disease has started manifesting in children living in Europe.

    While NCDC noted that only 46 suspected cases had been reported with 15 confirmed so far, countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Portugal, Spain and Canada, among others reported cases of the disease.

    The centre assured Nigerians of its capacity to effectively diagnose and respond to cases, while it also warned that severe cases commonly occur in children.

    The NCDC said,“Monkeypox is usually self limiting, with the symptoms lasting between two and three weeks.

    “This means that most patients will recover with proper care. Severe cases are common among children.

    “Symptoms include fever, body pain, weaknesses, sore throat and rashes on the face, palms, soles of feet and other parts of the body. Early reporting save lives.

    “We urge anyone who has fluid filled body rashes (vesicular rash), enlargement of glands and other symptoms of monkeypox, to report to any nearby public health facility for proper diagnosis and care.

    “Any health care worker that suspects a case of monkeypox should reach out to their Local Government Area Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers or the state Ministry of Health (Epidemiology team) for appropriate guidance and action.”

    A Professor of Public Health at the University of Ilorin and former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Prof Tanimola Akande said that a survey should be carried out to diagnose those with the disease so they can be isolated to avoid infecting others.

    The Professor stated that the world is yet to develop a vaccine that can prevent the spread.

    “The most important thing to do is what we call surveillance, that is to say that we look out for active cases so that once you get someone who is infected, you get them isolated from others so that they don’t infect other people.

    “This disease can easily spread by contact. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine that can be deployed at the moment.”

    Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that can occur in certain animals, including humans. Symptoms begin with fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, and feeling tired.

    This is followed by a rash that forms blisters and crusts over.

    The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is around 10 days, the duration of symptoms is typically two to four weeks.

    Monkeypox may be spread from handling bushmeat, an animal bite or scratch, body fluids, contaminated objects, or close contact with an infected person.

    The virus normally circulates among certain rodents, diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a lesion for the virus’s DNA.

    The disease can appear similar to chickenpox and other related diseases.

  • NCDC investigating Monkeypox case in UK with connection to Nigeria

    NCDC investigating Monkeypox case in UK with connection to Nigeria

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says it is investigating the incident of Monkeypox with a connection to Nigeria in collaboration with the Lagos and Delta State Ministries of Health.

    The Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, told newsmen on Thursday from Abuja, that the investigation is also being done with the Monkeypox Technical Working Group.

    The group comprises the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and US Centres for Disease Control (US CDC).

    NAN reports that the NCDC has been officially notified by United Kingdom (UK) authorities of a confirmed case of Monkeypox with a connection to Nigeria.

    Monkeypox is a virus that is spread primarily from animals to humans, with symptoms such as fever, headaches, body pains, malaise and enlargement of glands (lymphadenopathy).

    Other symptoms of monkeypox, which could last for two to four weeks, include sore throat and fluid-filled body rashes (vesicular rash).

    Transmission is via direct contact with infected animals, human, or contaminated materials. The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk of transmission to the wider public is very low.

    Monkeypox is generally self-limiting, which means patients tend to recover in a couple of weeks. However, supportive care and management of the condition is required and mostly successful.

    Control measures include isolation of suspected or confirmed cases, strict adherence to universal precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, and the use of personal protective equipment.

    Adetifa said that the NCDC would be coordinating the collaboration to strengthen in-country capacity to prevent, detect and respond to Monkeypox cases in the country.

    “We would like to provide some more details about this case. On 7th May 2022, the NCDC was notified by the UK International Health Regulations (IHR) national focal point of a case of monkeypox detected in a patient with recent travel history to Nigeria.

    “The individual is a UK resident who arrived in Nigeria on 20th April 2022, travelled to Lagos and Delta States during the time spent in Nigeria, departed Lagos on 3rd May, 2022, and arrived in the UK on 4th May, 2022.

    “While in Nigeria, the case did not report being in contact with anyone with symptoms of monkeypox or other illnesses with rash. The diagnosis of monkeypox (West African clade) was confirmed by PCR in the UK on 6th May 2022.

    “The patient is currently stable and receiving care in the UK,” he said.

    The DG said that since the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country in September 2017, the country has continued to record sporadic cases of the disease from states across the country.

    “Between September 2017 and 30th April 2022, a total of 558 cases and eight deaths have been confirmed from 22 states. Of these, 15 cases were confirmed in 2022 alone – this does NOT constitute an outbreak.

    “The highest number of cases have been reported from states in the South-South region of Nigeria. NCDC’s monthly situation report on Monkeypox can be accessed using this link – https://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/sitreps/?cat=8&name=An%20Update%20of%20Monkeypo x%20Outbreak%20in%20Nigeria

    “We re-assure Nigerians of the NCDC’s capacity to effectively diagnose and respond to cases of Monkeypox. The National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja has the capacity to test for cases of Monkeypox with a quick turn-around time.

    “We urge anyone who has fluid-filled body rashes (vesicular rash), enlargement of glands and other symptoms of monkeypox to report to any public health facility near them for proper diagnosis and care.

    “Any healthcare worker that suspects a case of Monkeypox, should reach out to their Local Government Area Disease surveillance and Notification Officers or State Ministry of Health (Epidemiology team) for appropriate guidance and action.

    “Guidelines on the management of Monkeypox cases and outbreaks can be found on the NCDC’s website https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/docs/protocols/96_1577798337.pdf ,” he said.

  • Monkeypox patient in London arrived from Nigeria – UK govt

    Monkeypox patient in London arrived from Nigeria – UK govt

    The United Kingdom Health Security Agency has said that an individual diagnosed with Monkeypox in London had a travel history from Nigeria.

    The patient was admitted to the expert infectious disease unit of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London.

    The Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA Dr. Colin Brown said in a statement on the agency’s website on Sunday, May 8: “UKHSA can confirm an individual has been diagnosed with monkeypox in England.

    “The patient has a recent travel history from Nigeria, which is where they are believed to have contracted the infection, before traveling to the UK”.

    “Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily between people. It is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some individuals”.

    “The infection can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person; however, there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population”.

    “The patient is receiving care at the expert infectious disease unit at the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London”.

    “As a precautionary measure, UKHSA experts are working closely with NHS colleagues and will be contacting people who might have been in close contact with the individual to provide information and health advice”.

    “This includes contacting a number of passengers who travelled in close proximity to the patient on the same flight to the UK. People without symptoms are not considered infectious but, as a precaution, those who have been in close proximity are being contacted to ensure that if they do become unwell they can be treated quickly. If passengers are not contacted then there is no action they should take”.