THE Anambra State government has re-stated its commitment toward the wellbeing of `Ndi Anambra’ by adopting proactive measures to contain monkey pox virus outbreak in the state.

Joe Akabuike, the commissioner for Health, said this while briefing newsmen in Awka on the virus’ outbreak in some parts of the country.

Akabuike confirmed that the state Ministry of Health had procured all necessary drugs and equipment for testing and quarantine of individuals suspected to have contracted the virus.

The commissioner said that disease were detected in states like  Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun, stressing that Anambra had yet to record the diseases.

Akabuike, however, explained that the disease was not as deadly as small pox and stressing that the virus was usually transmitted via animals.

He urged the people to avoid consumption of `bush meat’ and advised them to cook their meat well before consumption.

The commissioner, then, emphasised that the symptoms include high fever, malaria, typhoid, headache, muscular pains and rashes which occur within 45 days of contracting the virus.

The health commissioner, noted, that there was no commercial vaccine available to prevent the virus.

Earlier, Emma Okafor, the chairman Primary Health, said the state was fully prepared for any outbreak adding that the Rapid Response Team had been placed at alert.

He, then, urged the people to maintain high environmental hygiene and wash their hands at regular basis to reduce the chances of contracting any illness.

– Oct 20, 2017 @ 13:57  GMT |