By Correspondent in Ilorin.
Kwara state has recorded the first case of monkey pox, according to its State Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razaq.
Dr Razaq said the first case involved a 29-year-old Nigerian driver who residing in Gbugbu in Edu Local Government Area of the state, adding that the victim in the last two weeks, showed symptoms of fever, generalised rash, and weakness.
He explained,in a statement, that the patient’s wife and four neighbours who had shown similar symptoms had also been placed under surveillance.
The Commissioner, however, stated that the patient was improving and stable in the ward.
According to him, the State Ministry of Health launched a surveillance and response team since the index case was reported in the country in March this year.
He said that since the first case recorded in the state, the team has stepped up surveillance with contact tracing at health facilities and communities.
He disclosed that health workers were undergoing training to strengthen response system while appropriate agencies, such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, have been briefed on the development.
Dr Razaq promised that sensitization campaign on the disease and its symptoms would be intensified in the coming weeks to prevent an outbreak of the disease.
He advised members of the public to take their personal hygiene seriously and keep their environment clean and tidy to keep the disease away.
According to health expert, monkeypox is a rare disease similar to smallpox caused by the monkeypox virus. It’s found mostly in areas of Africa but has been seen in other areas of the world. It causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and a rash that can take weeks to clear
