The Nigerian government on Friday established an inter-ministerial committee that will work to prevent the possible spread of the monkeypox disease in the country, reported The Print.
During a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar, said there was no recorded case of monkeypox in Nigeria yet.
Abubakar said his ministry is working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and agencies to make the public aware of the monkeypox virus for early containment.
He said the ministry is also creating awareness among hunting communities and the public.
“In view of the current outbreaks in Europe and the Americas, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development works assiduously in collaboration with relevant sectors and stakeholders to intensify surveillance in the animal population and at the point of entry for wildlife,” the Nigerian minister said.
He advised the people to avoid contact with animals that could spread the virus, including animals that are sick or found dead where monkeypox occurs, and to avoid contact with any material such as bedding that has been in contact with a sick animal.
Abubakar urged the public to practice good hand hygiene, such as the washing of hands and the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, after contact with infected animals or humans.
Monkeypox is endemic in at least 11 African countries including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria. Over 200 suspected and confirmed cases of the virus have been detected in at least 19 countries, the majority in Europe, since early May.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it expects to identify more monkeypox cases as it expands surveillance in countries where the disease is not typically found.
Notably, there are no current vaccines for monkeypox, but, the smallpox vaccine has been shown to offer up to 85 percent protection against monkeypox.
