Nigeria: Ebonyi govt confirms first case of Monkeypox virus in state

The Ebonyi government in Nigeria announced on Monday, August 15, that it had confirmed one monkeypox virus in the state and 32 suspected individuals.

The Ebonyi government in Nigeria announced on Monday, August 15, that it had confirmed one monkeypox virus in the state and 32 suspected individuals.

This was disclosed by Daniel Umezuruike, the state Commissioner For Health, in Abakaliki on Monday.

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Umezuruike stated that since the outbreak of the disease, Ebonyi had recorded over 32 suspected cases, with one being confirmed on Monday.

The death rate of the monkeypox virus is presently zero as there has been no record of any death both in confirmed and suspected cases in the state.

He further added that this followed the report of a suspected case of monkeypox virus on August 10, 2022, at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.

A male, aged 32, a native of Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi but lives in Abakaliki, is said to have travelled to Rivers State and came back to Ebonyi on July 7.

The man is said to have a history of fever, maculopapular rash, headache, sore throat, and generalised weakness of the body.

An assumptive diagnosis of the monkeypox virus was made to rule out Smallpox.

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A sample was also collected and sent to the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, and the report came out positive for Monkeypox infection.

The patient has been admitted to Ebonyi Isolation Centre and is presently being managed for treatment of monkeypox, and he is responding well to treatment.

From January to July 2022, there have now been 357 suspected cases and 133 confirmed cases in Nigeria, with three deaths reported from different states of the country.

Monkeypox can generate a range of signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms of the monkeypox virus include fever, headache, back pain, muscle pain, low energy, as well as swollen lymph nodes. This could be followed or even accompanied by the development of a rash which can last for over three weeks.

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