Bamidele Eleniola and John Salami
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Medical Centre has raised awareness about Monkey pox (Mpox), an infectious viral disease that has been reported in Nigeria.
FUOYE VC, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed more than 39 cases of Mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with no reported death.
Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Foluso Ogunmodede, facilitated a session with Dr. Musbau Olarewaju Olawale, the Medical Director of FUOYE Medical Centre, to educate the university community about the disease and the university’s preparedness to handle any potential case.
However, speaking with FUOYENews, the CMD, Dr. Olawale Musbau defined Monkeypox as an infectious viral disease, (Mpox formerly known as monkeypox) as a disease caused by a virus known as the Monkeypox virus.
Dr. Olawale Musbau
The virus, he said was part of the same family as the virus which caused smallpox, saying the disease was primarily a disease for animals.
He said: “It’s a viral disease and we also call it a zoonotic disease you can find in both human beings and the animals and can be transmitted from animal to man that’s why they call it zoonotic disease, and since we say it’s transmittable that means it’s a communicable disease (contagious).
“So, if anyone has it here another person can get it through that person.
Dr Olawale fielding questions from Corporate Service Staff
“Basically, the first time it was diagnosed was in Denmark around 1958 or so. The first diagnosis in Nigeria was in 1971 and after 1971 it disengaged for over 38 years or so until it later resurfaced again.
“It’s a disease that we believe is common in both Central Africa and West Africa. Nigeria is also part of West Africa.
Symptoms
“There are some common symptoms that even people that have ordinary Malaria will think they’re having monkeypox because it’s a viral disease. One of the common symptoms is the issue of Catarrh, Cough, High fever, soreness in the mouth. Also rashes on their body. These are some of the symptoms we normally find in all these people who are already infected.
Prevention
Dr. Olawale emphasized the importance of prevention in the university community due to its high population.
He said: “It is essential to educate people about the early symptoms of the disease in order to detect it promptly.
“Health workers should also be sensitized and educated about the disease to ensure early detection, especially when symptoms such as fever manifest.
“Preventing large crowds is crucial as the disease can be transmitted through body contact.
“Sensitizing the entire university community about the disease is imperative as not everyone may display visible symptoms.”
Dr. Olawale further emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the disease’s outbreak, highlighting the need to educate people about the risks of consuming raw meats, especially bush meats, due to the similarity of the disease to Ebola.
Also, he stressed the importance of thorough cooking as the heat was capable of eliminating the virus while harping on early treatment as crucial as the disease was viral and difficult to cure there may not be a definitive cure, there are antiviral agents available for treatment though.
However, Dr. Olawale emphasized the distinction between cure and treatment, explaining that treatment involved managing symptoms with appropriate drugs.
Dr. Olawale said “we have not experienced the pandemic form because a pandemic means that it’s across different countries, but the issue is that generally diseases like this one does not have a cure. There’s always a tendency for people who will want to use traditional cure, unfortunately as they are trying to apply those measures they are making contacts. So, it is better to present oneself early to the health workers.
“The good news, however, is that there is no identified cases of monkeypox in FUOYE and the entire Ekiti State.”
He, however, expressed the readiness of the University Management under the leadership of Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina and the University Medical Centre against any occurrence.
Photo Credit: Toluwanimi Bamigbola
