Beware of monkey pox.
Its very dangerous.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
The infection is similar, but milder than, human smallpox or chickenpox.
It primarily infects animals and from animals can be transmitted to humans through:
• Direct contact from the bite or scratch of an infected animal OR
• Direct contact with the infected animals’ blood, body fluids or secretions (when these comes in contact with the blood of humans through exposed wounds or injuries or direct transfusion). OR
• Indirect contact with materials contaminated with the blood and body secretions of the infected animals
It can also be transmitted from humans to humans through:
• Inhaling the respiratory droplets (close contact is needed for this) of an infected person OR
• Direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected person OR
• Indirect contact with materials contaminated with the blood or body fluids of infected person
Two animals historically associated with Monkeypox are:
• An ill African rodent, Rope Squirrel, in 1985 at Equateur region of DRC and
• A dead infant Mangabey at Tai National Park Cote d’Ivoire in 2012
There is no definitive treatment or vaccine for it; PREVENTION is the koko.
Symptoms and Signs:
• Fever
• Intense headache
• Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes at the chin, neck, armpit, groin etc) – it is a unique feature
• Back pain
• Muscle pains
• Exhaustion or lack of energy
• Lack of appetite
• Skin rashes (eruptions) occurring 1 to 3 days after fever appears; it starts from the head spreading to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet to cover every part of the body – could start as rash with flat surfaces (macules & papules) to swellings with fluids (pustules & vesicles).
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
• Avoid contact with the infected animals and humans.
• Avoid consumption of the identified animals
• Perform hand hygiene routinely with either soap and clean flowing water or alcohol gel; perform it before and after contact with any suspected ill person or when in hospital environment and in the community.
• Ensure performing other safety precautions like respiratory hygiene, using face masks or gowns or goggles when in presence of suspected people when they are coughing, talking or sneezing.
• Report any suspected>quote cases to the healh authorities.
italicGod help Nigeria, God help Africa.