Yenagoa, 20 October 2017-World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Bayelsa state to scale-up response and rapidly contain further spread as well as debunk rumours linking the Monkeypox outbreak to immunization activities.

 Since the report of the index case in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state on 22 September 2017, 22 additional suspected cases have been reported. Results of samples taken to WHO Regional Laboratory in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed Monkeypox from three (3) of the suspected cases while 46 contacts are being followed-up at  present.

“WHO team had initiated activities to strengthen surveillance for Monkeypox including contact tracing, orientation of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers and community informants who have long been part of the polio surveillance network. WHO personnel in the state also support in other containment efforts, including coordinating the rumour desk and partner coordination,” says Dr Richard Koko, WHO State Coordinator.

Prior to the confirmation, the State Ministry of Health embarked on massive sensitization and public education, contact tracing and case management, utilizing the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital. A 12-member rapid response team consisting of top medical practitioners, public health experts and WHO staff earlier inaugurated by the Commissioner for health were given the mandate to contain the outbreak.

In a press briefing to allay the fears of the citizens, Professor Ebimitula Nicholas Etebu , the Commissioner for Health reassured the citizens that the epidemic is under control, adding that there was no need to panic. He stated that the State Ministry of Health, with the support of the international community led by WHO, international partners and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control have since embarked on sensitization campaigns. In other interactions with journalists, the Commissioner appreciated the support by WHO in the state.

Professor Etebu said, “WHO deployed all its personnel to provide the required technical support in the outbreak response and we appreciate their unwavering commitment”.

As at 20 October 2017, 86 suspected cases have been reported from 11 states across Nigeria with no deaths.

Monkeypox is a self-limiting disease, from which the suspected patients that have been reported to date are largely doing well clinically.

Symptoms of Monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and later causes a rash (most commonly on the face and palms) and it causes lymph nodes swelling. Incubation period for the disease is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days.

Technical contacts

• Dr Ifeanyi Okudo; Phone: +234 803 402 0833; Email:  okudoi [at] who.int
• Dr Richard Koko; Phone: +234 803 305 1033; Email: kokor [at] who.int
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