The Monkey Pox epidemic, first detected in Bayelsa state, appears to have spread to neighbouring south-south states as there have been confirmed cases of the epidemic in Akwa Ibom and Rivers state. One confirmed case has been recorded in the state, while two other suspected cases are under investigation.
Rivers state government has confirmed three suspected cases of Monkeypox in Port Harcourt. Commissioner for health, Professor Chike Princewill announced this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt.
The commissioner explained that the cases were discovered on last week Thursday night at Rumoulumeni, Eneka and Psychiatric road areas of Port Harcourt. This latest outbreak was also confirmed in a statement by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh.
The disease which has no known treatment or vaccine exhibits similar symptoms to smallpox, but it is milder, and larger rashes appear on the skin. Udoh said the disease which has no known treatment or vaccine exhibits similar symptoms to smallpox, but it is milder, and larger rashes appear on the skin.
He warned residents to avoid excessive handshakes and abstain from eating bush meat. Regular handwashing is also advised. The first reported cases of the Monkey Pox outbreak were recorded in the Fangbe area of Bayelsa state on October 5, where 13 people were hospitalised and 49 suspected cases quarantined.
