The monkeypox diseases has spread to Rivers with three cases already recieving treatment at government hosoitals in Port Harcourt, River Commisioner of Health has confirmed.
The number of patients reported to be recieving treatment for the communicable monkeypox which broke out in Yenagoa Bayelsa capital has risen from 11 to 13, as the state government says there is no cause for alarm.
The 13 patients including a medical doctor and a 17 year old boy suspected to be infected with the monkeypox virus isolated at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Okolobiri in Bayelsa are responding to treatment and are at various stages of recovery.
Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, Bayelsa Commisioner for Health who addressed a press conference on Friday along with his Information counterpart Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson said that there was no cause for alarm as the state had taken steps to curtail further spread.
Etebu had on Thursday put the figure at 11.
He said that more than 50 others who had contact with the quarantined patients have been traced and placed under surveillance.
He said that two of the infected patients earlier isolated have been treated and discharged.
It will be recalled that the first index case was reported two weeks ago at Agbura, a rural settlement near Yenagoa.
Etebu said the victim had killed and eaten a monkey with members of his household and neigbours who later presented sympoms of the monkeypox virus.
He however said that results of the blood samples dispatched to the World Health Organisation reference laboratory in Dakar for confirmatory tests were still being awaited adding that it was only the results that would confirm the identity of the virus.
"We, have, taken the usualmsteps in medical parlance in accordance to international best practices and the tests take some time because they have to culture the virus and allow it to grow sufficiently for it to be identified.
"That is the process we are taking and once the results are out, the public will be notified about it,"? He said.
Also speaking at news conference Iworiso - Markson said that there was need to inform members of the public that rhe state government was, doing its best as itmresponded promptly to the health emegergy.
He said that the government had since inuagurated a Quick Response Team currently working round the clock to contain the outbreak.
He urged the residents to be calm and report any suspected case with rashes similar to chickenpox to the disease surveillance teams on the following toll free numbers 08066987752 , 08035474676.
Speaking earlier, Chief Medical Director, of NDUTH Prof Dimie Ogoina said that themstate was receiving support from the Internation Public community including the World Health Organisation and the Centre for Disease Control.
He said that the hospital in collaboration with the state ministry of health has createdmamtemporary isolation wards to quarantine suspected casesmand assured that the facilitynhad room to accommodate more patients.
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