Plateau transfers two suspected Mpox cases to Abuja for confirmation

The Plateau State Ministry of Health has reported two cases of unusual symptoms, suspected to be Mpox, that have been transferred to Abuja for further testing.

Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, who revealed this on Monday during a light-hearted chat on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), said that as a preventive control measure, when such cases are reported and they do not have the facilities to test whether the symptoms are of mpox or not in Plateau, the cases are transferred to Abuja.

He said they are now awaiting the results of the diagnosis.

According to him, similar cases of infection had previously been treated effectively in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and the patients were discharged.

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The commissioner explained that they are concerned about the disease because it is infectious and can be transmitted from person to person.

He reiterated that there is no outbreak of the disease in the state yet.

According to him, common symptoms of mpox include a rash lasting at most four weeks, followed by fever, headache, low energy, swollen glands, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen glands.

This disease, according to him, spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, such as skin-to-skin contact, touching, sex, or kissing.

It can also spread through face-to-face contact with someone who has mpox, which can generate infectious respiratory particles.

Physical contact with an infected animal, such as some species of monkeys or rodents like squirrels, can also cause mpox, as can the consumption of contaminated meat that has not been thoroughly cooked, he said.

Shurkuk said, “In countries where animals carry the virus, any food containing animal parts or meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating.”

He advised that people should always wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub, stressing that anyone who suspects they have mpox should seek medical advice and isolate themselves from others until evaluated and tested.

“Cook any food containing animal parts or meat thoroughly before eating,” he concluded.