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Monkeypox: GHS cautions Ghanaians over handling of meat

Nigeria has banned the sale of bushmeat as a precaution after six cases were detected in the country this month, bringing to 21 the number of confirmed infections this year

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has advised Ghanaians to be cautious in the handling of meat following the confirmation of Monkeypox in the country.

Nigeria has banned the sale of bushmeat as a precaution after six cases were detected in the country this month, bringing to 21 the number of confirmed infections this year.

The director-general of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye told Asaase News that, “so, it is the handling of such products, that is crucial. It is the handling not in the eating, especially if it’s been cooked, it is the handling that has to be done carefully.”

Confirmed cases

Ghana has confirmed five cases of the Monkeypox virus.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with body fluid or monkeypox lesions.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, the director-general of the Ghana Health Service said no death has been recorded yet out of the five cases.

“So far since the outbreak in Europe occurred, we tested 12 suspected cases in Ghana since 24 May. Currently, we have confirmed five cases in three regions – Eastern, Western and Greater Accra – this is where we discovered the five cases, no death has occurred among the cases here,” he said.

“One of the cases has been recorded in a Ghanaian who travelled to the US from Ghana, he might have picked it from here,” the GHS boss added.

Endemic countries

Monkeypox endemic countries are: Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana (identified in animals only), Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan.

Watch the full video of the briefing below:

Nigeria bans bushmeat to prevent virus spread

The Nigerian government has banned the sale of bushmeat as a precaution to stop the spread of monkeypox.

Six cases have been detected in the country this month bringing to 21 the number of confirmed infections this year, the authorities said.

Experts say it is possible that the virus can be caught by eating meat from an infected animal. But this is not the most common transmission route.

Monkeypox, a mild viral infection, is endemic in Nigeria.

It occurs mostly in remote areas, near tropical rainforests.

The country has had sporadic cases since an outbreak in 2017. The virus was found mainly in the south of the country but, since 2020, it has spread to central, eastern and northern areas, the World Health Organization says.

Out of the 21 confirmed cases this year, there has been one reported death of a person who had underlying conditions. But earlier this week the health authorities said “there has been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus, nor changes in its clinical manifestation documented”.

Scientists are struggling to explain a recent rise in monkeypox cases in Europe, which have not been linked to travel to the African countries where it is endemic. But there are suggestions the virus has been spreading from person to person for some time undetected.

Monkeypox can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.

Those infected in the UK have been advised to avoid having sex while they have symptoms.

The animals that can pass on the virus are infected rodents, including rats and squirrels. According to health experts, this can happen if someone is bitten or touches an infected animal.

Monkeypox cases in Nigeria. 2017-2022. .

Bushmeat

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Bushmeat refers to any wild animal that is killed for consumption, including antelopes, chimpanzees, fruit bats, rats, porcupines and snakes.

In some remote areas of Nigeria it is a vital source of food, while in others it has become a delicacy.

There are many bushmeat markets in Nigeria and it is unclear how the ban will be implemented.

The ministry of agriculture also directed vets and its other officials to increase surveillance aimed at detecting any possible cases of monkeypox in animals.

Operators of zoos, parks, conservation areas and recreational centres were reminded to make sure there was no contact between animals and humans.

Fred Dzakpata

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