As Ika residents panic over the news which sped up as wildfire last week that the dreaded virus, ‘Monkey Pox,’ has entered Agbor and Owa, the Zonal Medical Director in Agbor Medical Zone, Dr. Francis Nwabua has dispelled the report, saying that the virus is not in Agbor medical zone as nobody has been confirmed with the case. He disclosed this in a chat with Ika Weekly reporter at his office during the week to clarify the report.
According to him, so far, there is no report of the virus in Agbor Central Hospital or Owa-Alero Hospital which is also under Agbor Medical zone.
He said the issue of monkey pox is topical which was announced nationwide including Delta State. He stated clearly that majority of the virus cases that were discovered were only suspected cases, hence people should not panic.
His words, “Majority of the cases reported across the nation are suspected cases of the Monkey pox virus because until a blood is diagnosed of the virus, only then, can it be a confirmed case.
“Out of over 90 percent of the virus cases which has been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that is handling the case, only three cases have been verified so far. most of the other ones that are causing panic are not Monkey pox but probably just one of these skin diseases.
“Coming down to Delta State, my colleague at Owa-Alero hospital who happens to be under me incidentally called to inform me that he had a suspected case of the Monkey Pox and I quickly called the surveillance officers from the State Ministry of Health who went there and took blood sample. So for now, we are still waiting for the result, but interestingly two of the persons that were suspected with the case have been treated and discharged because they are now much okay”.
Speaking further, Dr. Nwabus who posited that Delta State is on top of the situation, also pointed out that the Monkey Pox Virus is not as deadly as Ebola, through communicable.
He explained that like every other disease, Monkey pox has a host which could be said to be the Monkey or any other animal which lives in the bush and one of such could be grasscutter.
“Not that we should not eat bush meats but ensure that they are properly cooked to be sure that any virus or micro organism living in the animal is killed by heat.
Meanwhile, it is paramount for us to observe every form of personal hygiene. Be that as it may, people should not panic and we are here 24 hours of the day to give you medical attention”, the doctor said.
In the same vein, the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, has also dispelled the case of Monkey Pox in Delta State while briefing journalists on the readiness of the state government to manage possible outbreak of the disease.
He disclosed that 10 suspected cases have been recorded in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that while investigation is still ongoing, none has been confirmed to be monkey pox except one case in Bayelsa.
While calling for calm among residents, the commissioner clarified that the cases suspected were mere rashes that had no relationship with monkey pox.
He also listed animals which could be a host of the virus to include monkey, rats, squirrels and other bush animals, explaining that the disease could spread from animal to animal, animal to humans and humans to humans and that the symptom’ ranged from fever and headache in the early stages to appearance of fierce looking boils which start from the patient’s face to his palms and feet similar to that of small pox.
According to him, if the safety precautions are maintained, infected patients will recover with time.
As regards the rumour that some people were forcing children to take the Monkey Pox vaccine, Dr. Azinge ascertained that there is no particular vaccine for Monkey Pox even when it is possible to administer other vaccines for it.
The Commissioner however disclosed that his Ministry has placed Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in the 25 local government areas on red alert and that sensitization and training of health workers have also commenced on the need to observe universal precautionary measures.