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Two suspected cases of monkeypox have been recorded in Lagos state.
The Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, disclosed this on Monday, telling journalists at a press conference that it had become necessary to sensitise residents about the viral disease which had earlier been reported in three states: Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers.
He said: “Though no confirmed case has been recorded, there is the need to sensitise members of the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the disease in line with the policy of the state government.
“I need to state that though there is no specific vaccine for the disease, vaccination against Smallpox has been proven to be 85 percent effective in preventing Monkeypox. There is also no specific anti-viral therapy for Monkeypox, however, the disease is self-limiting and could be managed conservatively.
“The preventive measures to be taken against the spread of the disease include; avoiding close contact with infected people; avoiding consumption of bushmeat and dead animals; cooking of meat and meat product thoroughly before eating and washing hands with soap and running water frequently and thoroughly.”