Despite the death of one military officer to monkeypox, some residents in the Upper East Region are still oblivious of the debilitating effects of the virus on the human system.
They say the virus is just like any other common disease hence precautionary measures may not be necessary.
“This virus will die a natural death just like covid-19 thanks to our hot weather conditions in the region. COVID-19 couldn’t last what can this one do”, one of the residents who spoke explained.
Their comments come days after a military officer was reported to have died of the virus. The officer, according to health officials in the region died three days after reporting to the Upper East Regional hospital with some mild headache and other body aches.
In a random interview with some of the residents in Bolgatanga, the regional capital, they appeared unbothered about the possible effects of the virus.
“My brother, this virus is not and will never be a fear to me. Do you know why because the sun here alone, is a blessing to us? It can’t last a day; the sun will kill it before it will even think of attacking anyone. The person that died of it, there is more to his case than monkeypox. Or he had it somewhere before travelling to the region. What I will eat at the end of the day is my daily headache, not monkeypox,” one of the respondents said.
Another resident who only gave his name as Robert, a native of Zebilla also noted that though he has knowledge of the virus, it will soon fade away just like COVID-19.
He said “… of late, have you heard of COVID-19 again like before? Monkeypox will soon come to that.”
“My fear now is what I will eat this afternoon. You see, so whatever pox or monkeypox that you are mentioning I don’t even see top. What happened to the so-called COVID-19? Today, take it from me that this monkeypox thing will die like COVID-19”, said John, another resident.
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. It is endemic in Nigeria and Cameroon and is transmitted from an infected animal (squirrels, rats, dormice, monkeys etc) or from infected humans. Human-to-human transmission can occur through the following: skin-to-skin contact, face-to-face contact, and mouth-to-skin contact. It can also be spread through touching bedding, towels, clothing or objects used by an infected person.
Symptoms of monkeypox could be identified when a person is experiencing fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches and muscle and back aches. It also includes general bodily weakness, rashes with blisters on face, hands, feet, body, eyes, mouth or genitals.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga|Ghana
