Monkey Pox: Woman bitten by monkey in Ondo

A middle-aged woman has been reportedly bitten by a domestic monkey in Akure, headquarters of Akure South local government area of Ondo state, exposing the people of the state to the “Monkey pox” infection

Though the woman whose identity is unknown was bitten by the domestic pet on Saturday evening while trying to feed it which later developed to pores.

A reliable source, who lived in the victim’s neighborhood but pleaded anonymity, said: “she did not take the monkey bite so seriously until Sunday evening when she started feeling some pains and discomfort.”

He said further that “When she started complaining, her friends and family then advised her to visit a nearby health centre for treatment or minor surgery.

“When she got to the health centre, one of the nurses who attended to her thought it was a whitlow and wanted to operate it but there was no surgical blade in the health center.”

According to him, “It was brought to the notice of the matron, who noticed that the affected part was more of a bite than whitlow. The lady now revealed that she was bitten by her monkey pet when trying to feed it.”

She was however referred to the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for further treatment.

Attempt to reach the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro to confirm the development and the measures put in place by the ministry to curtail the spread of the suspected “Monkey Pox” incident in the state was not a success.