MONKEY POX ALERT!

Most Bayelsans woke up this morning to the terrifying news of 10 unconfirmed cases of monkey pox identified and quarantined in the state's teaching hospital with 49 other suspected cases being followed up.

The index patient who was said to have killed and eaten a monkey was with other close contacts seen to have developed the rash.

Monkey pox, a viral infection first discovered in 1958 in monkeys (hence the name), can also be transmitted to humans by rats, squirrels, antelopes and other primates via animal bites, contact with animal blood or bodily fluid, consumption of poorly cooked meat of infected animals, and handling of infected animals.

Human to human transmission, though limited is also possible through respiratory droplets and contact with bodily fluids of infected person.

If you ever had chicken pox, or quite unlikely, small pox; you'd recognise the symptoms and rash to be similar, only that the rashes in monkey pox appear larger and are more terrifying.

Prodromal symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes.. are experienced a few days before appearance of the rash.

There is no specific treatment for monkey pox, hence the need to raise awareness on risk factors to reduce infection and viral exposure:

~Avoid contact with dead animals that could harbour the virus, or their secretions.

~Avoid materials that may have come in contact with infected animals

~Cook meat adequately

~Avoid intimate contact with infected persons.

~Practice good hand hygeine after contact with infected animals or humans. Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizers.

~Avoid sharing a bed, room or utensils with infected persons.

~Report suspected cases to local authorities.

The disease is self limiting, lasting 2 to 4weeks and confers lifelong immunity on survivors.

This post is to spread awareness, not panic.

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Be careful For Your Life is Important!!!

cc; lalasticlala

may God help us all even as we take precautions against the disease