Determined to curb the spread of the monkeypox viral disease, the Bayelsa government on Sunday said it has intensified its efforts especially in the area of public enlightenment and civic engagement.
The government urged residents of the state to report all suspected cases of the disease by calling the following toll free hotlines, 08066987752 and 08035474676 to reach the rapid response team of health ministry.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson who disclosed this in a statement said the sensitization campaign mounted on radio is with translations in all the local dialects in the state will be aggressively sustained.
The Commissioner said that government has commenced sensitization campaign and advocacy visits to communities in the state on the need to reassure the indigenes of government’s intervention and activities in curbing further spread of the disease.
He explained that the government has curbed further spread of the disease, adding that out of the number of those affected and quarantined at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Okolobiri, many are already showing signs of recovery.
Iworiso-Markson explained that two of the index cases and the Doctor affected by the disease have since fully recovered and discharged and expressed joy that so far no death has been recorded.
"To further allay the fears and reassure Bayelsans of Governments’ effort in curbing the disease, let me make it clear that we are on top of the situation. However it is important for people to take note of the fact that prevention is better than cure.
"Hence, they are required to always wash their hands, avoid monkeys, bushmeats and dead animals as well as be on the look out for symptoms which often manifests as various stages of rash and an intense weakness of the body, severe pains, among other things" he said.
It woulsd be recalled that Rivers Commisioner of Health Prof Princewill had on Friday confirmed the spreadmof the monkeypox disease in Port Harcourt with three cases so far reported.
Cross River government on Sunday announced that it was enhancing health surveillance in border communities to halt the spread of the monkeypox disease to the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, disclosed this in Calabar on Sunday gave the state a clean bill of health as no case has been reported so far.
“Cross River is not far from other states in the South-South that have witnessed the outbreak, we are working round the clock to prevent the disease in the state.
“As soon as we heard about the outbreak, we took extra precautions. Already, we have a team set up for infection, disease preparedness and control.
“We are always on alert and in constant surveillance of any disease outbreak. We have held several meetings with the state epidemiologists because we believe that prevention is better than cure.
“Currently, we are carrying out sensitisation and advocacy campaigns in communities through community leaders, town announcers and the media,’’ she said.
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