31 monkey pox cases in Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, others

Monkey pox, which started with an index case in Bayelsa on September 22, has spread to six other states, including Lagos.

There are 31 cases, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said yesterday.
NCDC National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu listed the states as Bayelsa, Rivers, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Cross River,The Nation reports.


He said samples had been collected from each suspected case for laboratory confirmation.


Said Ihekweazu: “It is unlikely that many of the suspected cases are actually monkey pox, but all are being investigated.”

He said all the suspected cases were receiving medical care and the patients improving clinically in their various states.

Ihekweazu said the centre had activated an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) to coordinate the outbreak investigation and response across the affected states