Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic disease is caused by infection with a virus that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa. The virus is occasionally exported to other regions. It belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family known as Poxviridae.
The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox, an eradicated disease), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine) and cowpox virus.
In endemic areas, the monkeypox virus is thought to be maintained in nature through circulation among a number of susceptible mammals, namely wild rodents (including squirrels and rats), with occasional spill-over to non-human primates and humans.
Transmission of monkeypox virus can occur when a person or susceptible animal comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through skin lesions (even if not visible to the naked eye), respiratory tract or mucous membranes.
The Monkeypox virus is transmitted from infected animals to humans or other susceptible animals by direct inoculation via bites, scratches or by direct contact with the body fluids and/or the meat of an infected animal during hunting and other activities involving susceptible animal species.
Human-to-human transmission occurs mainly through close physical contact (e.g., face-to-face, skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-skin contact, including during sex).
Ulcers, lesions or sores present in the mouth or throat can be infectious, meaning the virus can spread through saliva and respiratory droplets (and possibly short-range aerosols), in some cases. However, more studies are required to know whether the virus can be spread from breathing and talking, but there is no documented human to animal transmission of monkeypox.
Current monkeypox outbreaks outside of endemic areas appear to be driven by human-to-human transmission.
However, the virus has an animal origin. Good practices in interacting with wildlife, as described above, can reduce the risk of spillover events.
A few days ago, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH) announced the first case of Monkeypox infection as it said a 40-year-old patient on admission at the hospital tested positive for the Monkeypox virus, even as the hospital has shut down its orthopaedic unit.
The unnamed patient was said to be a road traffic accident victim who had been on admission in the Bola Tinubu Orthopaedics Ward of the hospital since June 26 2022.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 157 monkeypox cases across the country from January 1st to July 31st, 2022.
Reports from the NCDC have shown an uptick in Monkeypox cases as it has now surpassed the peak number of cases seen in 2017 when MPX re-emerged
According to the latest report, the Monkeypox virus has been recorded across 26 states in Nigeria since January 2022
The epidemiological summary shows that there were 56 suspected cases reported across 19 states between July 26 and 31, 2022 with Ondo State recording the highest number of cases.
Of the 56 suspected cases, 17 were confirmed positive cases in Epi week 27, 2022 from 12 states: Ondo (3), Adamawa (2), Bayelsa (2), Delta (2), Anambra (1), Borno (1), Edo (1), Gombe (1), Katsina (1), Kogi (1), Plateau (1) and Lagos (1).
Three deaths were recorded from three states – Delta (1), Lagos (1) and Ondo (1).
In addition, between September 2017 and July 10, 2022, a total of 11 deaths have been recorded (CFR= 3.5 per cent) in six states: Lagos (3), Edo (2), Imo (1), Cross River (1), FCT (1), Rivers (1), Ondo (1) and Delta (1)
We commend the efforts of the NCDC, not only in controlling the spread of the Monkeypox diseases, but also in watching out for more cases in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The NDDC is equally being urged to continue to monitor the situation, even as it sustains ongoing response efforts.
We believe that the Federal Government has not done enough to sensitise the citizenry to the danger of the disease and how to avoid the spread.
In particular, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has not been active and it has failed in the performance of its duties of sensitising Nigerians to what is happening in and outside the government.
We want the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, pay proper attention to rising cases of Monkeypox as the country, which is still sweating under the burden of a bad economy situation strives to avoid a potential nationwide disaster. The government should in the meantime step up its efforts to curtail the spread of the deadly disease. A stitch in time saves nine.
