By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In 2017, Nigeria detected its first monkeypox case in 39 years.

Since September 2017, Nigeria has been experiencing the largest monkeypox outbreak in the country’s history. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a total of 466 suspected monkeypox cases from 30 states.

Nigeria/Alvaro1984 18

Of this total, 205 have been confirmed in 18 states.

During the first six months of 2021, Nigeria has seen 13 confirmed monkeypox cases from five states Delta (3), Bayelsa (2), Lagos (4), Edo (1), Rivers (3). No deaths have been reported.

This compares to eight confirmed cases reported in all of 2020.

Monkeypox, a rare zoonosis that occurs sporadically in forested areas of Central and West Africa, is an orthopoxvirus that can cause fatal illness. The disease manifestations are similar to human smallpox (eradicated since 1980), however human monkeypox is less severe. The disease is self-limiting with symptoms usually resolving within 14–21 days. Treatment is supportive. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids and cutaneous/mucosal lesions of an infected animals (rats, squirrels, monkeys, dormice, striped mice, chimpanzees amongst others rodents) Secondary human-to-human transmission is limited but can occur via exposure to respiratory droplets, contact with infected persons or contaminated materials.

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