ALERT AGAINST 'MONKEYPOX': AVOID EATING BUSHMEAT AND DEAD ANIMALS~~ HEALTH MINISTRY

 The Federal Ministry of Health has advised Nigerians to avoid feeding on bushmeat and dead animals, including monkeys.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole on Thursday.Following the outbreak of monkeypox virus in Bayelsa state,


In a statement released through Boade Akinola, the director of media and public relations in the ministry, the minister stated that the disease don't have a cure or vaccine but there is no cause for an alarm.

The statement read in part: “He (Adewole) said the virus was mild and there was no known treatment and no preventive vaccines, hence the public should be at alert and avoid crowded places as much as possible.

“He advised the public to avoid eating dead animals, bushmeat and particularly bush monkeys.”

The statement added that “The symptoms include headache, fever, back pains and in advanced cases, rashes bigger than those caused by chicken pox.”

Adewole also disclosed that test samples have been sent to the World Health Organisation (laboratory) in Senegal for analysis and the Ministry is still awaiting the results.

He also advised that anyone who experiences any of those symptoms listed above to go to a hospital.

Since the outbreak of the virus, 10 people and a doctor have been quarantined after they contracted the disease in Bayelsa State.

RESIDENT DOCTORS COMMENCE INDEFINITE STRIKE

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike in hospitals after an eight hour meeting which ended in the early hours of the morning.

The doctors had last week met with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole where government made some offers to them.

A plea which went unheeded as the association resolved to embark on an indefinite strike until all its demands are met.
Among other demands, the association wants its immediate enrollment on the IPPIS platform without further delay.
Its also asking Government to stop its plan to stagnate the promotion of resident doctors an wants an immediate payment of salary shortfalls experienced between January and May 2017.

A one paragraph statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Onyebueze John in Abuja read, “Rising from our NEC meeting, which started by 7pm yesterday and ended 3am today. NARD has resolved to reject the promissory offer from Government, and proceed on total and indefinite strike action until all items in her demand list for strike action are resolved by Government.”