Monkeypox can be transmitted through respiratory droplet, body contact -Expert

Last updated May 20, 2022

According to a professor of Public Health, Dr. Tanimola Akande said, monkeypox can be transmitted by close face to face contact, hugging, and kissing.

Prof. Akande also said, it can also be transmitted through body contact during sex.

The World Health Organisation mentioned that, human-to-human transmission of monkeypox can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person, or recently contaminated objects.

“Transmission via droplet respiratory particles usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts health workers and household members of active cases at greater risk.

“The longest documented chain of transmission in a community was six successive person-to-person infections. Transmission can also occur via the placenta from mother to fetus (congenital monkeypox),” WHO said.

Prof. Akande said though there are reports of transmission through sex, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection and it is not a common form of transmission.

“The spread is by body contact. It can be passed on through body contact during sex. It can be transmitted by close face to face contact, hugging, and kissing.”

So far , there are 15 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Nigeria. The confirmed cases were from the 46 suspected cases recorded, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

A total of 46 suspected cases have been reported between January 1 and April 30, 2022. Of the suspected cases, 15 were confirmed from seven states – Adamawa (3), Lagos (3), Cross River (2), Federal Capital Territory (2), Kano (2), Delta (2), and Imo (1) – but no death has been recorded.”

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