By Ibrahima Yakubu–
A Micro-biologist and Director,. Kaduna College of Health Science (Women Hood College of Health Science), Mr Nurudden Bello says all hands must be on deck towards creating awareness on preventive measures against the spread of the pandemic in the country.
The Scientist stated this at a one day sensitization workshop organised for students on ways to halt the spqread of the virus among Nigerians.
According to him, Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
Adding that 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 Scientist emphasized the need to engage more media organizations both local and international, including on-line news platforms toward educating millions of Nigerians on the various preventive measures against the spread of the virus
Stressing that every person has a role to play toward helping the society on ways to halt the spread of the pandemic
He said, it became mandatory for them to commence raising awareness on the general public about the existence of the virus, so as to save more lives against the spread of the pandemic in some communities in the country
Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3–6%
“Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
“Monkeypox transmission has been restricted to remote locations in central and west Africa. However, there have been several outbreaks in more densely populated centers in the past five years, raising concern about the global dissemination of the disease.
“we want all National orientation agency, all ministries of information to embarked on cealess campaign against the spread of the virus ”
The scientist who is also the Director African Climate Reporters called on Citizens to stop cutting down forest trees, adding that chacoal and firewood bussines has contributed toward causing more forestry going extinctions due to human irrational activities
Stressing that they plan taking the Campaign to markets, places of worship, football view centers, among others.
“They are going to use social media to spread the messages in order to educate millions of Nigerians on the various preventive measures against the spread of the virus”
He warned Nigerians to avoid contact with any material, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick animal. isolate infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection. Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans
Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
“Raising awareness of risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the virus is the main prevention strategy for monkeypox.
Scientific studies are now underway to assess the feasibility and appropriateness of vaccination for the prevention and control of monkeypox.
He then called on all NGOs,civil society organizations, Red cross, ministry of health and environment to emback on ceaseless campaign which is toward sensitizing millions of Nigerians on various preventive ways against the spread of the pandemic