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After official confirmation, Monkeypox spreads to 11 States as FG clears Army off vaccination rumour

After officially confirming Monkeypox virus in Nigeria, the Federal Government has disclosed its spread to 11 States with 74 suspected cases being examined. The GovernmentS also debunked any vaccination exercise carried out by the Nigerian Army.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this known after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Prof. Adewole, who announced, days ago, that only three cases have been confirmed, listed 11 States with 74 suspected cases across the country.

He listed the States as; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Rivers and Federal Capital Territory.

“We have confirmed three suspected cases of the virus from Bayelsa and 12 of the suspected cases from Bayelsa tested negative; four suspected cases from Lagos tested negative.

“We are still expecting the results of the other ones.

“We are also doing tests at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede, to really understand the genomics of this virus. Even when they are negative, the laboratory attendant should be able to tell us what exactly they are.”

The Minister also cleared off the Nigerian Army on the speculations that they are in charge of spreading the virus, through vaccination, in some States.

He noted that the Federal Government cannot carry out any vaccination exercise without the notifying of the State Government, as Vaccination is being done only in Kwara, Kogi and Borno State.

“And I must educate Nigerians about how vaccination campaigns are done,” he added.

“The Federal Government will take the lead but we do not conduct campaign without working with States.

“So, there is no way we will do campaign without working with the states.”

He further stated that vaccination exercise would be carried out nationwide against Yellow Fever which would begin before the end of the year.

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