First confirmed case of monkeypox in Adamawa, State Nigeria: a clinico-epidemiological case report

Abstract

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infection caused by monkey pox virus. It is an emerging disease which has become the most prevalent orthopoxvirus since the global eradication of smallpox in 1980. It is a mild illness which is mostly characterized by a prodromal of fever, malaise and progressive appearance of vesiculo-papular skin lesions. We report a case of a 30-year-old military personnel who was referred from 23 Brigade Medical Centre (BMC) to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yola on account of fever and progressive eruption of widespread skin rashes. Following isolation from suspicion of monkeypox, he was confirmed by PCR and managed symptomatically and fully recovered within two weeks of onset. His five close contacts did not develop any symptoms during the period of follow-up. This is the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the state. This case will trigger an awareness, amongst clinicians and surveillance officers in Adamawa State, of the existence of monkeypox and heighten the suspicion to promptly detect, isolate and treat more cases to halt transmission.