FG denies deliberate injection of Monkey Pox Virus

The Federal Government has described as fake, the report that the outbreak of Monkey Pox in some parts of the country resulted from the alleged free medical care by the government in the affected areas. A message has been making the rounds on social media, claiming the outbreak of monkey pox in Bayelsa was the […]

The Federal Government has described as fake, the report that the outbreak of Monkey Pox in some parts of the country resulted from the alleged free medical care by the government in the affected areas.

A message has been making the rounds on social media, claiming the outbreak of monkey pox in Bayelsa was the result of a failed clandestine population control using biological agents and urging readers not to take part in any free medical programme declared by government.

But information minister Lai Mohammed said on Sunday the government had not conducted any free medical service or care in either Bayelsa or Rivers state, as alleged in the fake report being circulated, adding that it could not have been the cause of the outbreak of Monkey Pox in both states.

He called on Nigerians to disregard the report.

He also said the report is being spread by some unscrupulous persons to fit into a sinister agenda.

"Monkey Pox is a virus found only in monkeys and it is rare in human beings. It belongs to the same family as Chicken Pox and Smallpox.  

”It is suspected that someone may have contacted it by eating monkey meat, thus triggering the current outbreak," the minister said.  

He assured that no effort will be spared in curtailing the spread of the disease.