The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH) has issued a stern warning against the consumption of undercooked bush meat to prevent the spread of the m-pox virus.
This caution comes in light of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the m-pox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.
Dr. Yusuf Muhammed, President of ARD-UITH, emphasized the importance of avoiding contact with dead animals and consuming properly cooked bush meat.
"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," he advised.
M-pox, caused by the Orthopoxvirus Monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral disease that affects both humans and animals.
The disease presents symptoms such as sore throat, itchy or painful rash, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
It spreads through close contact, including touching, kissing, or sexual activity, as well as through contaminated materials like bed sheets, clothing, and needles.
The initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo resulted in at least 450 deaths and has since spread to Central and East Africa, Pakistan, and Sweden.
Dr. Muhammed noted that while m-pox is not entirely new, new strains have emerged recently.
"The fear is that the antibody that humans have may not be able to protect against it like the strain that occurred before.
This poses a threat to people, and everybody should be on the lookout," he explained.
To manage any potential outbreak in Nigeria, the ARD-UITH is prepared to deploy measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These measures include preventive steps and protocols aimed at curbing the virus's spread effectively.
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