Monkeypox: Govt, agencies task Taraba residents on proper hygiene

Taraba State residents have been advised to adhere strictly to good hygiene over the outbreak of monkeypox in the state.

The State Director, Immunisation and Disease Control, Dr. Kenneth Tijos, yesterday, at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the introduction of the new ROTAvirus vaccine, admitted that “there are confirmed cases of monkeypox in Taraba State”.

The government told the people not to panic, but to adhere strictly to relevant measures that would halt the virus from spreading.

He said Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s administration had been put in place adequate measures to curtail its spread, adding that the government was partnering with relevant agencies to control the situation.

“The government is working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA to manage monkeypox outbreak in Taraba,” he said.

Tijos said though the virus is very contagious, there is need for the people to remain calm and adhere to proper hygiene. Citing how the government partnered with other agencies to fight COVID-19, the same zeal and energy, he said, would be channelled to fight to monkeypox.

As at the time of filing this report, five out of the 17 suspected cases were confirmed to be positive.

The partners reiterated their determination and readiness to work round the clock and ensure 80 per cent of ROTAvirus vaccine coverage in the state.