Govt confirms 5 monkey pox cases, 57 under investigation

Adamawa State Director of Public Health, Dr Celine Laori, has confirmed the outbreak of monkey pox in the state, with five confirmed cases while 57 suspected cases are still under investigation. 

Speaking during an interview yesterday, Dr. Laori said the disease was first noticed in April at the Army Barracks and a correctional facility in Yola area.

Laori noted that the state had since set up an Emergency Response Centre to contain the spread of the disease which is currently found in two local government areas.

“Yes, there has been an outbreak of monkey pox in the state which was registered in April by the Honourable Commissioner of Health, almost at the time when he was declaring the end of Cholera response,” she said.

“The disease is caused by a virus which is similar to small pox virus. We immediately swung into action and an active case search was initiated, workers were trained to be able to identify monkeypox which is relatively new to our community,” Laori said.