Seven out of the 13 patients infected with MonkeyPox’ viral disease in Bayelsa have recovered fully and discharged from the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri where they were isolated.

The contagious disease broke out three weeks ago in Agbura area of Yenagoa in Bayelsa following reports that a family killed and ate monkey meat and subsequently presented symptoms of monkey pox.

The Bayelsa government subsequently advised residents to avoid eating bushment to curtail the spread of the disease from animals to humans.

Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, gave the update in a statement issued on Wednesday in Yenagoa.

The Commissioner, who noted that Bayelsa was winning the battle with monkey pox disease, said others currently under medical surveillance at the state teaching hospital where they are currently receiving care have been responding positively to treatment.

According to him, so far, the government can say that it had “been able to successfully contain the spread of the disease as no new case has been reported in the last few days.”

Iworiso-Markson observed that “with the way and manner the government deployed its machinery and with the team of dedicated health and medical personnel, monkey pox will soon be fully kicked out of Bayelsa state.”

He commended the government of Bayelsa especially the Ministry of Health and its officials and that of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) for their efforts in the fight against the disease.

The Commissioner also gave kudos to Bayelsa people for their cooperation, for particularly adhering to the preventive measures.

He urged them to step up efforts by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and hygiene, wash their hands regularly and avoid contacts with Monkey and other bush meats.

He said from the feedback received from various channels, it was obvious that the public enlightenment campaign, especially in local languages contributed to the defeat of monkey pox disease.

Update news