Did you know there are 31 suspected cases of monkeypox in 7 states across Nigeria? Don’t panic. Read on to learn about this infectious disease and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

HOW DOES MONKEYPOX SPREAD?

The virus that causes monkeypox spreads from animals to people and from people to other people. You can get monkeypox:

• From eating, being bitten, or being scratched by an infected animal (especially monkeys, squirrels, and rats)
• Through droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person (for example, when a sick person coughs or sneezes, these droplets escape into the air and can land on you or be inhaled by you)
• From direct contact with an infected person (skin, blood, body fluids, etc.)
• From touching a contaminated surface

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms of monkeypox usually develop within 5 to 21 days after exposure to a sick person or animal and occur in two phases:

Phase One

• Headache
• Fever
• Chills
• Tiredness
• Back pain
• Body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Phase Two

• Skin lesions/rashes mostly on the face, palms, and soles of feet that last 2-4 weeks

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT INFECTION?

To protect yourself and your loved ones, make sure you:

• Always wash your hands with soap and clean water
• Avoid contact with anyone who appears ill
• Do not eat bushmeat
• Avoid contact with animals especially monkeys, squirrels, and rats

Health professionals are encouraged to report suspected or probable cases, strictly observe universal safety precautions, and make use of personal protective equipment when treating suspected cases.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS AND OUTCOME?

Most people with monkeypox recover with time, but supportive care and management of symptoms can help. Monkeypox has a low fatality rate of 1-10% of cases.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU GET SICK?

If you have symptoms or suspect that you or someone around you has monkeypox, report to your nearest health facility to seek medical treatment. Do not self-medicate.

For suspected cases, contact:

• Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
  • Toll Free: 080097000010
  • SMS: 08099555577
  • Whatsapp: 07087110839
• Your state Ministry of Health

MORE INFORMATION

• Nigeria Centre for Disease Control: Monkeypox Press Release
• #IDFridays: Monkeypox Page
• World Health Organization: Monkeypox Factsheet
• US Centers for Disease Control: Monkeypox Information