Nasarawa State has recorded six confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Lafia and Keffi Local Government Areas.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Ahmed Yahaya, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Lafia.
The Commissioner explained that two cases were first reported in the Keffi Local Government Area in May and another four in Lafia.
According to him, the healthcare workers in the state have been sensitized and trained on the occurrence of the disease.
He noted that drugs and essential commodities had been procured, and treatment can be obtained from all the General Hospitals and the Federal Medical Centre In Keffi.
He said the emergency operations centre for monkeypox had been activated, while an incident manager has also been appointed.
He added that all the necessary measures are in place in strategic areas to fight against the spread of the disease in the state.
Yahaya warned that the disease can be transmitted through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs such as kissing body fluids of infected persons, respiratory secretions, and face-to-face prolonged contact with affected persons.
Yahaya said the monkeypox virus lasts for between two to four weeks and is characterised by fever, headache, muscle pains, and swollen lymph nodes, adding that the incubation period ranged from five to 21 days and that children and pregnant women are 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.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
