The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported the first death due to monkeypox in the current outbreak. According to officials, the patient was a confirmed case with a “background immune-compromised condition”.

Nigeria/Alvaro1984 18
Nigeria/Alvaro1984 18

In addition, five additional confirmed cases and two probable cases have been reported since the last update, bringing the total confirmed cases to 61.

There has been a decline in the number of new suspected cases reported over the last five weeks.  Since the onset of the outbreak, a total of 172 cases (suspected, confirmed and probable) have been recorded from 22 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the NCDC, only 7% of the current cases in Nigeria have been linked to human-to-human transmission, including one healthcare worker.

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According to the CDC, the symptoms of monkeypox are as follows: About 12 days after people are infected with the virus, they will get a fever, headache, muscle aches, and backache; their lymph nodes will swell; and they will feel tired. One to 3 days (or longer) after the fever starts, they will get a rash. This rash develops into raised bumps filled with fluid and often starts on the face and spreads, but it can start on other parts of the body too. The bumps go through several stages before they get crusty, scab over, and fall off. The illness usually lasts for 2 to 4 weeks.

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Rodents, such as rope squirrels, door mice and pouched rats, are the suspected reservoir hosts, with monkeys and humans as secondary, spill-over hosts.

People at risk for monkeypox are those who get bitten by an infected animal or if you have contact with the animal’s rash, blood or body fluids. It can also be transmitted person to person through respiratory or direct contact and contact with contaminated bedding or clothing.

There is no specific treatment for monkeypox.

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