Is monkey pox real? Why is it called monkey pox? How does one contract it? I saw someone in a video, who said he contracted monkey pox from a Federal Medical Centre (name of the town withheld), and more similar questions kept pouring in on monkey pox.

So I decided to revisit monkey pox, which I had discussed severally in the past, and thus give us the update in Nigeria. Okay, let me start again from the beginning.

Monkey pox was first identified in a colony of monkeys in Copenhagen in 1958, but was discovered in 1970 in 11 African countries: Benin Republic,  Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cote D’Ivore, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and South Sudan.

Monkey pox presents in humans as a syndrome similar to small pox. The incubation period is about 12 days, and limited to person-to-person spread across Africa and Nigeria. Mortality rates vary from three to 11 per cent depending on the immune status of the patient. Secondary attack rates appear to be about 10 per cent.

Lesions of monkey pox are indistinguishable from small pox. The current pandemic has been reported in Sierra Leone Liberia, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and of course, Nigeria.

The symptoms include: a prodrome of fever, chills, headache, myalgia, muscle pains and excessive sweating. About one third of patients reported a non-productive cough. After one to 10 days, a macula papular rash appears, which progresses through stages of vesiculation, pustulation, umbilication and crusting and in some cases ulceration. The rash usually starts on the head, trunk and extremities, with occasional satellite lesion on palms, soles and extremities. In some cases it becomes generalized.

In a report published in the Guardian Health Section by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), it was stated that as at August 14, 2022, about 31,799 monkey pox cases had have now been reported, across 89 countries as at 12 August 2022.

In Nigeria, according to the same NCDC report, 172 monkey pox infections and four deaths have been recorded as at the time of the report, which also stated that 59 per cent of the cases were recorded among men. The report further shows that of the 172 cases reported from 1 January to 7 August 2022, men accounted for 115 cases, corroborating the World Health Organization (WHO) claim that the latest outbreak is high among men.

Break down of the latest cases show that Imo State had 3, followed by FCT(2), Ondo(2), Rivers (2), Abia (1), Anambra (1), Ebonyi (1), Edo(1), Ogun(1) and Nasarawa(1). Over all since the re-emergence of monkey pox in September 2017, NCDC noted that that 985 suspected cases have been reported from 35 states across the country and that 398 of the figure representing 40.4 per cent were confirmed, 263 males and 135 females from 30 states. The NCDC also added that 12 deaths have been recorded since September 2017, in nine states, namely, Lagos (five), Edo(two), Imo(one), Cross River (one), FCT(one), Rivers (one), Ondo(one), Delta(one) and Akwa Ibom(one).

World Health Organization (WHO) has said anyone can contract the virus and that there is currently no evidence it is a sexually transmitted disease, but human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person, or recently contaminated object.

As stated earlier, the common symptoms associated with monkey pox, according to WHO, are, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.

The NCDC recommends that people avoid intimate physical contact with individuals who have a rash that looks like monkey pox and consider minimizing sex with multiple or anonymous partners

NCDC warns that non-essential travel should be avoided.

Travelers to Nigeria should avoid contact with sick people and animals such as rodents (rats, squirrels and non-human primates (monkeys, chimpanzees), products that come from wild animals including wild game, and contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding used by sick people and animals.

Seek medical care immediately, if you develop fever, chills, new swollen lymph nodes and/or new skin rash and avoid contact with others. If possible call ahead before going into a healthcare facility or Primary Health Care to enable them isolate you.

Delay travel by public transportation until you have been cleared by a healthcare official or provider.

It should be noted that monkey pox virus is a member of the genus orthopox- family poxviridae; other members include cow pox, vaccinia, and variolla(smallpox) viruses.

Monkey pox is a zoonotic virus with primary transmission believed to occur through direct contacts with infected animals or possibly by ingestion of their inadequately cooked flesh.

Pregnant women can spread the virus to their fetuses through the placenta.

It should be noted that monkey pox complications could include severe scars on the face, arms and legs. Blindness plus other infections could occur.

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Death could occur in rare cases through monkey pox.

Many people infected with monkey pox have a mild, self-limiting disease course in the absence of specific therapy.

However, the prognosis for monkey pox depends on multiple factors such as previous vaccination status, initial health status, concurrent illness and co-morbidities, among others.

There is currently no treatment for monkey pox. However, it is self-limiting which means that it can get better without treatment.

Some medications can be used to control an outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading. They include

1. Vaccinia vaccine – small pox vaccine.

2. Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG).

3. Anti-viral medication in animals.

According to WHO, the small pox vaccine is approximately 85 per cent effective in preventing the development of monkey pox.

There are steps you can take to help prevent monkey pox.

Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with the monkey pox rash. So, while a person is sick with monkey pox, do not touch their rash or scabs.

Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with monkey pox victims.

Do not share eating utensils or cups with them.

Do not touch the beddings, towels or clothing of a person who has monkey pox.

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with sick people.

Avoid contact with animals that can spread monkey pox virus, such as rodents and primates.

Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as any bedding or other materials they have touched.

If you are sick with monkey pox, you should isolate at home.

If you have an active rash or other symptoms, you should be in a separate room from your family members and pets where possible. Always be medically guided.

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