The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH) has issued a warning against the consumption of undercooked bush meat to prevent the spread of the Mpox virus. Dr. Yusuf Muhammed, the President of ARD-UITH, emphasized this warning during a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ilorin, also advising people to avoid contact with dead animals whenever possible.
Mpox, caused by the Orthopoxvirus Monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO), following outbreaks in parts of Africa, with cases now reported in Central and East Africa, Pakistan, and Sweden. The initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo resulted in at least 450 deaths.
Symptoms of Mpox include sore throat, itchy or painful rash, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. The WHO has identified that the virus can spread through close contact, including touching, kissing, and sexual activity, as well as through contaminated materials like bed sheets, clothing, and needles.
Dr. Muhammed explained that while Mpox is not a new disease, new strains of the virus have emerged, raising concerns that existing antibodies may not provide sufficient protection against these new variants. He stressed the importance of vigilance and urged the public not to panic but to report any suspected cases to health authorities for proper investigation and contact tracing.
“The public should not panic but report cases to health agencies for contact tracing and proper investigation, so that at-risk individuals can also be quarantined and prevention measures taken,” Dr. Muhammed advised.
He assured that the ARD-UITH is prepared to utilize all measures and responses implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to combat any potential outbreak of Mpox in Nigeria.
