An infectious diseases expert, Iorhen Akase, says Nigeria needs to scale up its surveillance on monkeypox currently raging in Europe and parts of America.

“Clearly, we should be concerned, not afraid; and know that we have to put structures in place to counter this outbreak,” said Mr Akase. 

He averred that the effect of the monkeypox outbreak extends beyond hospitalisation.

Mr Akase said that the impact would drain resources, put additional strain on health systems, travel and tourism, among others. 

The physician assured that monkeypox is not as fatal as COVID-19 and other viral infections.

He, however, urged that measures should be taken to prevent infection from the virus.

Mr Akase said the measures include: Avoiding contact with animals that could harbour the virus, as well as any material that had been in contact with a sick animal.

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining good hand hygiene practice to prevent infections. 

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), from September 2017 to April 30, 2022, some 558 suspected cases of monkeypox were reported from 32 states in the country.

Out of these, 241 were confirmed cases, and eight deaths were recorded.

Also, 46 suspected cases were reported in 2022, of which 15 were confirmed from seven states, and no fatality had been recorded.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monkeypox is most common in remote parts of Central and West Africa and occasionally exported to other regions.

Outside Africa, 20 countries have declared 237 confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox and health authorities around the world have announced plans to contain the virus.

WHO said vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme provide protection against monkeypox, and one newly-developed vaccine had been approved for prevention of monkeypox. 

It said that the virus could be contained with the right response in countries outside of Africa where it is not usually detected. 

(NAN)