Have you ever witnessed an unwanted visitor? They come with their burdens, make your house their abode, eat your food, cause problems, and leave ungrateful. That is their trademark.
For decades, these unwanted elements have come and gone causing pain and devastation to every home they visit. You see, when small pox visited, we understood that we needed to start putting our homes in order. Small pox had left and his brother, Lassa fever also came along. Then we knew our home can never be safe again. Just as soon as we thought he had left, his cousin, Ebola, came knocking. And now that we are still cleaning up our home from their mess, another high ranked profile of their family member is here to take his turn; Monkey pox.
The media house has been buzzing ever since this infection resurfaced. And there have been alarming rates at which the infection travels. The monkey pox, which is a bit similar to small pox but milder, is a virus infection discovered in 1970 in Democratic Republic of Congo. It has since then spread to countries across Africa and beyond. America, which is known for its sophistication also had their share of its bitter pill in 2003. It beacons that even the most infectious cautious ones can be victims. Thus, the need to put in place preventive measures as it has been announced to have no cure.
The World Health Organization published on its website, that although they are yet to decipher which living organism, plant or animal, serves as the reservoir of the disease, they advise that the restriction of the movement of small African mammals and monkeys may be effective in slowing the expansion of the virus. Captive animals are better not inoculated against small pox. Instead potentially infected animals should be isolated and placed in immediate quarantine.
It has been affirmed that close contact with patients is the most significant risk factor for contracting the virus. It is thus pertinent for those who know to tell those who don’t so as to create enough public awareness on the issue. In order to reduce the risk of human-to-human infection, close physical contact with monkey pox infected persons should be avoided. Protective equipment such as gloves should be worn while dealing with infected individuals. Regular hand washing is also effective in preventing such occurrence.
In addition, to prevent animal-to-human transmission, animal products should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Protective clothing should be worn while tending to infected animals and during slaughtering procedures.
There is no doubt that health is wealth. Reading books, attempting assignments, and marking AWO 101 calendar will not be enjoyable when we are not in a healthy state. So to prevent these unwanted visitors, UCJUI advice that you strictly adhere to the preventive measures.
