What is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral infection that used to be called monkeypox. It’s caused by a virus similar to smallpox but is less dangerous. The virus mainly spreads from animals like rodents, but it can also spread between people.
How Does Mpox Spread?
– Contact with Infected Animals: People can catch it by handling animals like rats or monkeys, especially if the animals are sick or their meat is not well-cooked.
– Person-to-Person Contact: The virus spreads when you touch someone with Mpox rashes, blisters, or body fluids. Close contact, including sexual activity, can also spread it.
– Contaminated Items: Mpox can live on surfaces like bedsheets or clothes, so touching such items can lead to infection.
Symptoms of Mpox
Symptoms include fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that turns into blisters. The illness usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
How to Stay Safe
– Avoid Wild Animals: Stay away from rodents and other wild animals. Avoid eating bush meat that isn’t well-cooked.
– Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands regularly with soap or use hand sanitizer.
– Avoid Contact with Sick People: If someone has a rash or symptoms of Mpox, avoid close contact.
– Disinfect Surfaces: Regularly clean surfaces, especially if someone in your home is sick.
By staying informed and taking these simple precautions, you can protect yourself and help prevent the spread of Mpox in Nigeria.
