The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned that there are no specific treatments available for the monkeypox infection after its outbreak in Europe and other countries.
Also, the centre urged Nigerians to take certain preventive measures so they do not contract the disease.
A post on the website of NCDC read: “There are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, although various novel antiviral have in-vitro and animal data supportive effects such as Brincindofocir and Tecovirimat.
“Measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus include: avoiding contact with animals that could harbour the virus, both sick or dead animals in areas where monkeypox cases have occurred; avoiding contact with any material that has been in contact with a sick animal; thoroughly cooking any animal that might have come into contact with an infected animal; handling them with standard precautions and observing monkeypox symptoms for 30 days and washing with soap and water after contact with infected animals.”
The World Health Organisation has stated that the disease is endemic to West and Central African countries.
While speaking during an interview with Punch, Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora said the NCDC is trying hard to enhance surveillance to curb the spread of the disease.
He said: “The NCDC is on it. The centre is doing all it takes in terms of surveillance, response and it is also putting in place certain measures to mitigate the spread.
“Just like we have the Lassa fever, the monkeypox is endemic to Nigeria but we have our agencies like the NCDC when it comes to response and I can assure you that they are totally on it.”
In a separate interview with Punch, Prof Marycelin Baba, a virologist at the University of Maiduguri, corroborated NCDC’s claims and called for caution.
Baba said, “Monkeypox is said to be a mutation from smallpox. There was no treatment for smallpox during its time. The only breakthrough was when the smallpox vaccine was introduced. This means that if you were lucky to get vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine during your time, you can be a bit safe.
“Unfortunately, most people were not born during the time the world suffered from the smallpox pandemic. Smallpox was eradicated many decades ago.
“One of the problems we have in Nigeria for instance is the absence of sufficient diagnostic kits for viral diseases. If you cannot even diagnose, how do you want to treat the problem? I am not too sure if we still have smallpox vaccines anymore in the world but as it stands, the only solution right now is vaccine. Without vaccines, I am sorry we are not going to reach anywhere.”
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