Nasarawa State has confirmed six cases of Monkeypox in two local government areas of Lafia and Keffi.

Ahmed Yahaya, the State Commissioner for Health, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Thursday in Lafia.

The commissioner explained that two cases were first reported in Keffi Local Government in May and another four in Lafia.

According to him, health care workers in the state have been sensitised, trained on the occurrence of the disease.

He noted that drugs and essential commodities had been procured and treatment obtainable in all general hospitals and the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi.

He said the emergency operations centre for monkeypox had been activated while an incident manager was also appointed, adding that all necessary measures were in place in strategic areas to fight against the spread of the disease in the state.

“It is noteworthy that the disease can be transmitted through direct contact with infectious rash, scabs, such as kissing body fluids of infected persons, respiratory secretions, face to face prolonged contact.

“Intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or having sex with infected person are some of the issues to be avoided,’’ Mr Yahaya said.

Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, an enveloped double – stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.

Mr Yayaha said the monkeypox virus lasts for two to four weeks and is characterised by fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, adding that the invitation period ranged from five to 21 days and children, pregnant women were more vulnerable to contracting the disease.

He advised the people to report suspected symptoms to the nearest medical facilities in the state as well as maintain environmental hygiene in their communities. 

(NAN)