The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has issued a warning to Nigerians that severe instances of monkeypox are widespread in youngsters in some countries, including Nigeria.
The disease, which is endemic to West and Central African countries, has begun to spread to European countries, according to the World Health Organization.
While the NCDC said that just 46 suspected cases had been recorded, with 15 confirmed so far, the disease has been reported in nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Portugal, Spain, and Canada, among others.
The centre reassured Nigerians about its ability to diagnose and respond to cases effectively, but it also warned that severe instances are common in children.
"Monkeypox is normally self-limiting, with symptoms lasting between two and three weeks," the NCDC said in a note on its Facebook page.
"This suggests that with good care, the majority of patients will recover." Children frequently have severe instances.
"Fever, body ache, weakness, sore throat, and rashes on the face, palms, soles of feet, and other parts of the body are among the symptoms."
The NCDC stated it has enough capability to diagnose and respond to instances of monkeypox across the country.
"We urge anyone with fluid-filled body rashes (vesicular rash), enlargement of glands, and other symptoms of monkeypox listed below to report to any nearest public health facility for prompt diagnosis and treatment," the centre said.
"Any health-care worker who suspects a case of monkeypox should contact their Local Government Area Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers or the state Ministry of Health's Epidemiology Unit for advice and action."
Prof Tanimola Akande, a Professor of Public Health at the University of Ilorin and former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, stressed the importance of monitoring in an interview with our reporter.
He expressed sorrow that there is now no vaccination that can be used.
"The most essential thing to do is what we call surveillance," Akande explained, "that is, we look out for active cases so that once you find someone who is infected, you isolate them so that they don't infect others."
"This disease spreads easily through contact. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine that can be used.