Monkeypox (MPX) Health Advisory For Nigeria

 Brief History of The Monekypox (MPX) Virus

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus. It primarily occurs in Central and West Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests, and has been increasingly appearing in urban areas. Animal hosts include a range of rodents and monkeys.

It is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. Symptoms are very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients but are less severe.

The WHO declared Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency on July 23rd 2022.  Nigeria has recorded a total of 172 confirmed cases of Monkeypox virus, with 4 deaths, from January 1st to August 25th 2022. The cases were reported from 26 states and the FCT.

How Monkeypox is Spread

Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with the rashes, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as beddings.

The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), the respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. Human-to-human transmission may also occur through aerosols/droplets following prolonged face-to-face or close contact.

Symptoms of Monkeypox Disease

Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. The interval from infection to onset of symptoms of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.

The infection can be divided into two periods:

• The invasion period (lasts between 0–5 days) characterized by fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle aches) and intense asthenia (lack of energy).
• The skin eruption (rash) phase, which usually begins within 1–3 days of appearance of fever. The rash tends to be more concentrated on the face and extremities rather than on the trunk. It may be confused with that of chickenpox. 

Prevention

• Infection prevention and control measures are key:
• Practice frequent handwashing with soap and water especially after caring for or visiting sick people.
• Ensure all animal food products are properly cooked before eating.
• Use of appropriate protective clothing and gloves while handling sick animals or their infected tissues and during slaughtering procedures.
• Avoid contact with animals that could harbour the virus including sick or the dead animals in areas where MPX has been confirmed.
• Avoid contact with any material that has been in contact with a sick animal.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact with persons infected with MPX.

Report any case with the associated symptoms mentioned above to the nearest health care facility for prompt and appropriate care.