The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has disclosed in its latest monkeypox situation report that 36 additional cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the country.
According to the NCDC, the number of disease confirmed in various states include Lagos (7), Adamawa (5), Delta (3), River (3), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Bayelsa (2), Edo (2), Imo (2), Plateau (2), Nasarawa (1), Niger (1), Oyo (1) and Ondo (1).
According to the NCDC, Monkeypox virus which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (the cause of smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the vaccine for smallpox eradication), and cowpox virus (used in earlier smallpox vaccines). Following the eradication of smallpox, monkeypox virus has emerged as the most important Orthopoxvirus.”
The World Health Organisation also states that the monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from six to 13 days but can range from five to 21 days.
WHO says various animal species have been identified as susceptible to the monkeypox virus.