SENSITIZATION ON PREVENTION OF MONKEY POX VIRUS COMMENCES IN ABIA

The campaign for the prevention of monkey pox virus has commenced in Abia state.

Speaking during a sensitization program at Ezeleke in Umuahia

South Local Government Area, the Assistant Social Mobilization Officer, Abia State Primary Healthcare Agency, Mr. Chukwudi Ukpabi highlighted some of the preventive measures people should adhere to.

They include avoiding contact with infected animals or human beings that may be carriers of the virus, whether dead or alive, materials such as bedding s and cloths used by infected persons, isolation of infected persons, regular washing of hands with soap and water.

He called on the people to always ensure that they visit health carefacilities for treatment whenever they noticed any unusual symptoms in their bodies.

Mr. Ukpabi urged the people to also ensure that they maintain the basicessential health care practices which focused on basic antenatal care,immunization, exclusive breast feeding of babies for at least six months, and use of insecticides mosquito nets.

Contributing, the Director of Information in the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Odemelam while describing the program as very apt, noted that it would educate the people on the dangers associated with the disease and best way to avoid contacting it.

Some of the people that attended the program commended the National Orientation Agency and UNICEF for the sensitization, stating that they had learnt a lot about the virus and ways to avoid it.

Over two hundred people drawn from various villages in the community attended the program.

LAWRENCE NWOKEDI