Tension As Lagos Records Suspected Monkey Pox Cases

By Sunday Okobi and agency report

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, on Monday disclosed that two suspected cases of Monkey Pox were being investigated in the state.

Idris, who made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos, however, said no confirmed case has been recorded.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, the suspected cases of monkey pox outbreak was first recorded on September 22 in Bayelsa.

 Idris said the two suspected cases were recorded in a private hospital in Lagos (not disclosed). One of the suspected cases, who just came from Bayelsa, claimed to have eaten bush meat.

The commissioner said that the two suspected victims were being quarantined in their various houses pending the result of the investigation.

“There is need to sensitise members of the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the disease in line with the state government policy,” Idris said.

He said that there was need for members of the public to observe and maintain high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread.

The commissioner also urged them to be vigilant and report any suspected case of the disease to the nearest public health facility or the Directorate of Disease Control in the State Ministry of Health.

“Also, health workers are advised to practice universal safety precautions in the management of suspected or confirmed cases.

“They should wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when attending to cases, wash hands after each contact with patient or contaminated materials while surveillance system must be strengthened.

“The state government has mobilised the Disease Surveillance Officers in all the 57 local government areas and LCDAs in the state, while health workers in both public and private health facilities have been placed on high alert,” he said.

Idris called on the state residents to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear, saying that the state government had put in place adequate measures to effectively prevent and control the spread of the infection.

“In case of any suspected case of Monkey Pox, the Lagos State Ministry of Health should be notified through the following mobile lines: 08037170614, 09087106072,” the commissioner said.