Borno confirms outbreak of monkey pox in Maiduguri

The Director of Public Health, Borno State Ministry of Health, Dr. Lawi Mshelia has confirmed the outbreak of Monkeypox in the state. 

In an interview with journalists in Maiduguri on Monday, Dr. Mshelia disclosed that four suspected cases were reported, with three of the cases already confirmed by the National Center for Disease Control, NCDC.

This is even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has embarked on sensitisation programme to ensure there’s enough awareness to enhance the prevention of epidemic-prone diseases, including monkeypox, cholera, and Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

Dr. Mshelia also disclosed that two of the cases were reported from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, where they are currently receiving treatment, while the other patient was reported from Biu local government area in southern Borno. One of the patients, he further said, has been discharged from the hospital about a week ago.

Meanwhile, the WHO Northeast Emergency Manager, Dr. Richard Lako in a press statement, said the organization would continue to support the Borno state ministry of health, adding that his community health champions team is engaging with the communities to avail themselves of covid-19 vaccination.

According to him, it remains important that no individual should be left out from receiving the vaccination.