The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has said it has confirmed six cases of monkeypox in two local government areas.

The Commissioner for Health, Ahmed Yahaya made this known yesterday in Lafia during a chat with reporters. He said four cases of the disease were discovered in Lafia while two were in Keffi.

Yahaya said the disease was first recorded on May 21 in Lafia and has spread to other local government areas.

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The commissioner said monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus and can last for between two and four weeks. Some of its characteristics are fever, headache, muscle pains, shivering, swollen lymph and rashes forming blisters.

He noted that the disease is severe among children, expectant mothers, and immune-suppressed people.

Yahaya said the disease can be contracted through direct contact with infected surfaces, transmission from mother to unborn child and contact with infected animals, including pets.

The commissioner stated that the six patients are undergoing treatment in Keffi and Lafia.

The ministry advised the citizens to observe all the safety measures and report any suspected people with the symptoms to the nearest health facilities in the state.