With an ongoing outbreak of monkeypox in Nigeria and three recent exported cases to other countries, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a notice for travelers to Nigeria.
As of September 2018, health officials in Nigeria have reported more than 100 confirmed cases of monkeypox, including multiple deaths.
In addition, three cases of monkeypox have been reported in travelers to the United Kingdom (2) and Israel (1).
Monkeypox is a rare disease that occurs throughout remote parts of Central and West Africa, often near tropical rainforests. It is spread through contact with the monkeypox virus from an animal or human (alive or dead) or with materials contaminated with the virus.
Symptoms begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion, and is followed by a rash. Patients are usually ill for 2-4 weeks. Monkeypox is fatal in as many as 10% of people who get it.
CDC recommends travelers to Nigeria take the following steps to prevent illness:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid contact with wild animals or wild animal products and meat that could harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where monkeypox occurs).
- Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick person or animal.
Related:
- Andes virus reported for the first time in US
- UK officials issue Salmonella advisory
- Mad Cow disease case reported in Scotland
- NYC: Measles reported in Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn
- Lymphatic filariasis elimination: ‘The Government of Vietnam really deserve congratulations’
- Hy-Vee recalls meat and potato products in eight states: Possible contamination with Salmonella and Listeria
