NCDC activates emergency operations centre for monkeypox

On May 28, 2022

The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, says a national multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Monkeypox has been activated in the country.

Adetifa, disclosed on Friday in Abuja, that the move followed a risk assessment conducted by the NCDC on Monkeypox outbreaks in multiple countries.

“EOC would continue to coordinate ongoing response activities in the country while contributing to the global response.”

He also said that, a national multisectoral multidisciplinary Incident Management System for Monkeypox had been activated at level two (medium).

“You are aware that Level 1, is watching mode. Level 2, is alert mode while Level 3, is emergency response mode, so Nigeria is on level two at the moment,” he explained.

The NCDC DG said that the EOC would continue to monitor and coordinate efforts to reduce the risk of spread within and outside the country while contributing to ensuring global outbreak preparedness and control.

Monkeypox occurs sporadically, primarily in Central and West Africa, however, some of the cases which had been reported in other parts of the world had no travel link to these regions.

“It does not spread easily between people, but it can be spread through touching clothing, bedding, or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash, touching monkeypox skin blisters or defects.

“If you get infected with monkeypox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

“A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off,” he explained.

He emphasised that anyone could be infected with or pass on monkeypox therefore, “We must discourage stigmatisation.

“If you are showing known symptoms of the disease, promptly contact the NCDC toll-free line 6232 for guidance on the steps to take.

“We encourage you all to increase the surveillance of monkeypox to see where transmission levels are and understand where it is going,” the WHO’s Director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, Sylvie Briand, mentioned.

Punch