Monkeypox: NCDC Says There Is No Treatment For Infected Patients

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to take certain measures to prevent monkeypox infection, stating that there are no specific treatments available for the disease.

This is just as the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, allayed the fears of Nigerians, saying the NCDC is doing everything possible to contain the spread of the disease.

Monkeypox, a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

The disease, which according to the World Health Organisation, is endemic to West and Central African countries, has surfaced in some European countries.

NCDC had noted that 15 out of the 46 suspected cases reported had been confirmed.

Similarly, countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Lebanon and Canada among others have started to report cases.

However, in a post obtained from that website of NCDC on Monday, it noted that there are no specific treatments available for monkeypox.

According to the post, “There are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, although various novel antiviral have in-vitro and animal data supportive effects such as Brincindofocir and Tecovirimat.

“Measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus include: avoiding contact with animals that could harbour the virus, both sick or dead animals in areas where monkeypox cases have occurred; avoiding contact with any material that has been in contact with a sick animal; thoroughly cooking any animal that might have come into contact with an infected animal; handling them with standard precautions and observing monkeypox symptoms for 30 days and washing with soap and water after contact with infected animals.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with the State Minister of Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, he said the NCDC was doing everything possible to enhance surveillance to mitigate the spread of the disease.

In his words, “The NCDC is on it. The centre is doing all it takes in terms of surveillance, response and it is also putting in place certain measures to mitigate the spread.

“Just like we have the Lassa fever, the monkeypox is endemic to Nigeria but we have our agencies like the NCDC when it comes to response and I can assure you that they are totally on it.”