Pregnant Monkey Pox Victim Loses Unborn Child

The first victim of monkey pox virus in Gboko, Benue state has lost her four months old pregnancy. She allegedly lost her unborn child yesterday, at the isolation centre where she is being treated.

This was confirmed at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, The Nation reports.

The victim, Miss Wuese Aloo, said she contracted the disease from her lorry-driver boyfriend, who is nowhere to be found. He occasionally bring goods to Gboko.

It was also revealed that a youth corps member, from Cross River State, is allegedly responsible for the pregnancy. He has however been quarantined at BSUTH while tests are being conducted,

According to the hospital management, the blood sample of the first victim has been taken to Senegal for screening; the result is being expected.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, called on Nigerians, who have symptoms like headache, fever, back pains and in advanced cases, rashes bigger than those caused by chicken pox, to report to the hospital.

He (Adewole) said the virus was mild and there was no known treatment and no preventive vaccines, hence the public should be at alert and avoid crowded places as much as possible.

He advised the public to avoid eating dead animals, bush meat and particularly bush monkeys.

Proper hygiene like hand washing and limiting contact with dead animals has also been advised.

Monkey pox is an air borne and highly infectious disease.