The primary results on samples obtained from persons suspected to have contracted the new viral disease, monkeypox in some states hit by the scourge in the country would be ready on Friday, the director of African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) of Redeemer’s University Ede, Professor Christian Happi has disclosed.
The federal government had commisioned ACEGID to diagnose samples of persons suspected to have been infected with the monkeypox and also conduct research into the strains of the pathogens and its source or origination.
Addressing journalists after conducting them around the faculties at the laboratories of the ACEGID located within the premises of Redeemer’s University, Happi said: “the results of the samples given to us by the federal government through the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole would be ready on or before this week Friday.”
While allaying the fear of Nigerians over the epidemic, he said people should be calm, adding that research and diagnosis being conducted would actually determine if the symptoms of sickness by the affected individuals were caused by monkeypox infection.
Happi explained that “if the results are negative, further researches would be conducted to ascertain the diseases that are associated with such symptoms.
Monkeypox is characterised by fever. The main viruses circulating in the African continent are being driven by fever.”
“We have the capacity to discover if a symptom is not related to monkeypox. If we can’t find monkeypox, we would find out which virus it is through our laboratory research. We have trained people from East and West Africa. 600 people across African region.”
According to Happi, “this university has trained people in Senegal. They come here from Cameroon, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Instead of going to Senegal for medical support on monkeypox, we have all that is needed here in Redeemer’s University. We did a lot of work during Ebola disease outbreak, which were not acknowledged. We can diagnose monkeypox here.”
“All the samples sent to Senegal would just get a secondary result. But, the primary result can be obtained here. The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole called me regularly. Secondary opinion on monkeypox can be gotten in Senegal. But the primary opinion can be gotten here. This centre is the best in Africa and it is being funded by World Bank.
We have international partners in research and training, built on long-standing relationship. Genomics is the science that will be governing the world and the science of the future. It can be used to prevent and control the disease. Our mission is education and research. Create an ecosystem that transcends national boundaries. The disease does not need visas to enter any country or continent”, Happi remarked.
In his remark, Osun State Commissioner for Science, Innovation and Technology, Engineer Remi Omowaye said Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State met with the health minister on Tuesday, where he said the entire Africa was waiting to wage for Redeemer’s University for the primary opinion on monkeypox.
He stated that “we are planning to establish a research council. We want to collaborate with this institution on research and other activities. What we are interested in is the result, regardless of the status of the university whether private or public. Redeemer’s University has made us proud as a black race and country.”
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