The Edo State Government has confirmed a new case of Monkeypox, from a 40-years- old resident of the state, who tested positive for the viral infection after complaining of fever, headache, fatigue and cough for four days.
The patient who was admitted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), disclosed his ignorance about the disease, saying he had little or no knowledge about the monkeypox and how highly contagious it was.
In a press statement sited by Pharmanewsonline from the WHO’s website, the man narrated his ordeal from the infection.
“The rashes covered my whole body, and I have no explanation on how I contracted the disease because I did not travel, eat bush meat or have no contact with bush or domestic animals in the last 30 days.
“I have been at home due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union Universities. I do not know how I contracted the disease but there is a dog in our compound, though I have no contact with it”, he said.
The infected man, who is a realtor, gave the health officials present at the hospital a list of those he was in contact with within the last two weeks after being admitted to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State.
The Director, Public Health, Edo State Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr Ojeifo Stephenson, said it has become imperative to warn the residents of the state about the health risks that the virus poses and reiterate the need to be cautious and adhere to preventive measures.
He said the state MOH with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners, has ramped up surveillance, diagnostics and other activities to curb the spread of infectious diseases.
“We have stepped up surveillance including prompt investigation of suspected cases, facilitating documentation of contacts, contact tracing and monitoring, as well as developed and disseminated public health advisory to raise awareness about the disease among residents of the state,” he said.
Pharmanews reports that with this new case of the infection, Edo State has got a total of nine cases of the viral infection.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 157 cases of monkeypox from 1 January to 31 July, 2022, across the country, with a total of four deaths recorded from four states.
