WHO confirms outbreak of Monkey pox in Bayelsa as victim commits sucide at quarantine centre

WHO confirms outbreak of Monkey pox in Bayelsa as victim commits sucide at quarantine centre


The World Health Organisation (WHO) reference labouratory in Dakar, Senegal has confirmed that the viral disease that broke out in Bayelsa was caused by monkey pox virus, Sahara Reporters learnt.

Blood samples from the first 13 suspected victims were dispatched to the WHO facility three weeks ago for a confirmatory test following clinical diagnosis of monkey pox by medical doctors in Bayelsa and officials of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control.





One of the victims of the viral disease, monkeypox, at the quarantine centre in Bayelsa reportedly committed suicide, the state government officials said on Monday.

The victim allegedly took his life on Monday at the makeshift quarantine centre at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing newsmen on Monday evening in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, stated  that the deceased was among the 21 suspected cases of the virus that were being managed at the teaching hospital.

Etebu was joined at the conference by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Medical Director of the NDUTH, Prof. Dimie Ogoina, and other senior health officials.

He expressed regret that the patient took his own life despite impressive recovey progress from the disease, noting that the deceased medical history did not suggest any mental illness or features of depression.

The health commissioner maintained the patient did not die from the disease, adding that the police and his family had been duly informed and all due diligence was being followed for the eventual respectful and safe burial.

While sympathising with the family, Etebu said that a committee had been put in place to evaluate his past and recent clinical and social history of the deceased to determine if there were undisclosed mental illness or personal family problem that could have justified the suicide.

Etebu also confirmed the outbreak of monkeypox in the state following laboratory evidence from samples sent to the World Health Organisation reference laboratory in Darkar , Senegal.

The confirmation has to rest the earlier speculation and suspicion of the viral disease which broke out in Bayelsa three weeks ago following reports that a family in Agbura area of Yenagoa killed and ate monkey meat and later manifested symphoms of monkey pox. 

He, however, assured the general public again that the government was doing everything to contain the outbreak and ensure all patients receive appropriate care and treatment.

Iworiso-Markson on his part urged residents to continue to use preventive measures and ensure they avoid bushm