Monkey Pox: Senate tasks FG to take proactive measures

The Senate on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to be pro-active in containing and preventing the spread of Monkey Pox disease already prevalent in parts of the country. Monkey Pox is a rare and infectious disease caused by monkey virus, transmitted from animals to human and with symptoms similar to those of smallpox. The first […]

The Senate on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to be pro-active in containing and preventing the spread of Monkey Pox disease already prevalent in parts of the country.

Monkey Pox is a rare and infectious disease caused by monkey virus, transmitted from animals to human and with symptoms similar to those of smallpox.

The first incident of the disease in Nigeria was reported on September 22 in Bayelsa.

The Senate said that the Federal Government’s measures could be undertaken through state and local governments.

The lawmakers also advocated enlightenment of citizens about measures that could be taken to mitigate risk factors of exposure to the virus.

They equally called for proper liaison by the Federal Government with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other relevant donor agencies for contingencies against eventualities.

The call followed the adoption of a motion on “Urgent Need for Pro-active Steps to Nip in the Bud Reported Outbreak of Monkey Pox Disease in Nigeria’’ by Sen. Ali Wakili (APC-Bauchi) at plenary.