A victim of the viral disease, monkey pox, currently at the quarantine centre in Bayelsa State has committed suicide, the state government said on Monday, October 16.
The victim allegedly took his life at an isolation centre at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, the government said.
Addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, narrated that the deceased was among the 21 suspected cases of the virus that were being managed at the teaching hospital.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Medical Director of the NDUTH, Prof. Dimie Ogoina, and other senior health officials were also at the conference.
Etebu expressed regret that the patient took his own life despite impressive recovery progress from the disease, noting that the deceased medical history did not suggest any mental illness or features of depression.
He maintained that the patient did not die from the disease, adding that the police and his family had been duly informed and all due diligence was being followed for the burial.
While sympathising with the family, Etebu said that a committee had been put in place to evaluate his past and recent clinical and social history of the deceased to determine if there were undisclosed mental illness or personal family problem that could have justified the suicide.
He also confirmed the outbreak of monkey pox in the state following laboratory evidence from samples sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) reference laboratory in Darkar, Senegal.
The confirmation has put to rest the earlier speculation of the viral disease which broke out in Bayelsa three weeks ago following reports that a family in Agbura area of Yenagoa killed and ate monkey meat and later manifested symphoms of monkey pox.
Etebu, however, assured the public that the government was doing everything to contain the outbreak and ensure all patients receive appropriate care and treatment.
Iworiso-Markson on his part urged residents to continue to use preventive measures and ensure they avoid Bush meat.
Monkey Pox Victim Commits Suicide In Bayelsa
