The Kebbi State Government has directed medical and health workers in the 21 local government councils of the state and relevant agencies to step up surveillance over Monkey pox.
The Permanent Sectary in the state Ministry of Heath, Hajiya Halima Dikko, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
She said: “We have informed all the local governments to designate an area within their facilities to isolate suspected cases to halt any outbreak of Monkey pox and any other epidemic in the state.”
Dikko said the government had embarked on public enlightenment at community level and through the mass media to sensitise residents on causes and symptoms of Monkey pox.
She added that the government had also placed emergency medical teams on high alert to tackle any outbreak.
Dikko said: “We have ongoing projects of isolated centre for any outbreak of epidemic diseases in the state.”
The permanent secretary advised residents to keep away from eating bush meat and promptly report suspected outbreak and symptoms of the disease such as high fever and rashes to health workers.
She urged the people to maintain good hygienic practices including regular hand washing to avoid contracting diseases.
Dikko added: “We urge the good people of the state not to panic about Monkey pox and be assured of the readiness of the state government to safeguard their health.”
NAN.