It is no longer news that there’s a viral disease called ‘Monkeypox’ which has spread over seven states in Nigeria with 31 cases recorded.
The virus occurs basically when a person comes in contact with the carrier; might be an animal, infected humans or materials contaminated with the virus. Person to person transmission can occur infrequently perhaps by means of respiratory droplets as it enters the body through broken skin (hidden ones too), respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth). Animal-human transmission may occur by scratch, bite, bushmeat consumption, direct contact with body fluids or indirect contact with lesion materials such as a contaminated bed, clothing and linens.
According to ‘MedicineNet’, the Monkeypox is also closely relative to smallpox so treatment may consist of immediate vaccination with smallpox vaccine. Treatment with an antiviral drug or human immune globulin has been done.
The precautions to take to prevent Monkeypox include:
Avoid any contact with animals susceptible to the virus – animals that are sick or discovered to have died in areas where the disease occurred.
Avoid contacts with materials such as clothing or linen that has been in contact with an infected person – if possible isolate them for proper care so others won’t be at risk of getting infected too.
Practice good hygiene habits especially after contact with infected persons or animals. For instance; use hand sanitizers (preferably alcohol-based sanitizers), and wash your hands with soap and water.
When caring for patients be sure not to share equipment, use personal protective kits.
Photo: MedicineNet
