Monkeypox victim commits suicide in Bayelsa

One of the victims of the viral disease, Monkeypox, at the quarantine centre in Bayelsa state has committed suicide, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, has said.

The unnamed victim allegedly took his own life on Monday at an isolation centre at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.


Addressing a press conference in Yenagoa, he said the deceased was among the 21 suspected cases of 'Monkeypox' that were being managed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH).

He expressed regret that the patient took his own life despite speedily recovering from the disease ‎and stated that his medical history did not suggest any mental illness or features of depression.

The Health Commissioner maintained the patient did not die from the disease, adding that the police and his family have been duly informed and all due diligence is being followed for the eventual respectful and safe burial.

While sympathizing with the family, the Commissioner informed that a committee has been put in place to evaluate his past and recent clinical and social history to determine "if there were undisclosed mental illness or personal family problem that could have justified the suicide".