NCDC says no known treatment for monkeypox, warns against contact with animals

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced on Monday that there are no particular therapies for monkeypox.

Nigerians should also take precautions to avoid catching the ailment, according to the center.

This comes as Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora allayed fears of Nigerians by stating that the NCDC was doing everything necessary to prevent the disease from spreading.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.

The disease, which is endemic to West and Central African countries, has now spread to some European countries, according to the World Health Organization.

Read also: Despite Omicron breakout, NCDC frowns at travel ban among countries

Countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Lebanon, and Canada have begun to report cases.

In a statement released last week, the WHO stated that the monkeypox outbreak was being identified in countries where the illness is not prevalent.

However, according to the NCDC’s website, there are no particular treatment regimen for monkeypox.

“There are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, although various novel antiviral have in-vitro and animal data supportive effects such as Brincindofocir and Tecovirimat.

“Measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus include: avoiding contact with animals that could harbour the virus, both sick or dead animals in areas where monkeypox cases have occurred; avoiding contact with any material that has been in contact with a sick animal; thoroughly cooking any animal that might have come into contact with an infected animal; handling them with standard precautions and observing monkeypox symptoms for 30 days and washing with soap and water after contact with infected animals,” the statement read.

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