…Reels out preventive measures

Oyo State government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has assured residents that efforts are in top gear to control the spread of the monkey Pox as the ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders are working to ensure that the situation is curtailed and the disease is reduced to the bearest minimum.

This assurance is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Bode Raji today.

“Following the recent confirmation of Monkey Pox Resurgence in Nigeria, the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture is hereby giving the following advice that people must avoid contact with persons suspected to be infected with Monkey Pox because it can spread through contact, hunters and bushmeat sellers should be discouraged from killing and selling wild animal…” the statement reads in part.

The statement also listed fever, headache, muscles and joint pain, shivering, blistering rash as early symptoms of monkey Pox, and also informed that the disease could be prevented by practicing good hand hygiene such as washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Bode Raji through the statement advised residents to avoid contact with infected animals that could harbor the virus such as rodents, monkey and the likes.

Veterinary Doctors and Para-Veterinarian are also enjoined to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when attending to patients that is, Animals, while also
discouraging the act of trading, importing and keeping of non-human primate (Monkey) and rodents as pets.

The general public are hereby advised to report any pox like lesions seen in humans or animals to the nearest Human Hospital/Clinics and Veterinary Hospital/Clinic in the State.