The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced on Thursday that the country has recorded 39 confirmed cases of Mpox, with no deaths, across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since the start of 2024.
During a press conference in Abuja, NCDC Director General Dr. Jide Idris highlighted the growing concerns about the spread of Mpox, especially as a new strain of the virus has emerged.
The virus, primarily endemic in Central and West Africa, has caused significant alarm following its detection outside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it first surfaced in September 2023.
So far, this year has seen 2,863 confirmed Mpox cases and 517 deaths across 13 African countries.
In Nigeria, Bayelsa and Cross River states have reported the highest number of cases, with five each, followed by Ogun and Lagos, each with four cases.
Dr. Idris emphasized the need for enhanced coordination and communication with stakeholders to prevent the virus from spreading further and crossing borders.
Related News: WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency
Mpox, a rare viral zoonotic disease, is transmitted from animals to humans, often through contact with infected animals’ blood, body fluids, or lesions.
The disease can also spread from person to person through close contact, including sexual activity.
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and a distinctive rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, including the genitals.
To combat the outbreak, Nigeria has ramped up surveillance at all major entry points, including international airports, seaports, and land borders.
The government is also conducting contact tracing and considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, with the country expecting to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.
Cholera Outbreak Worsens
In addition to the Mpox cases, Nigeria is also grappling with a severe cholera outbreak. As of August 11, 2024, the NCDC reported 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths across 36 states and the FCT.
The outbreak, which has mainly affected children under five years old, is expected to persist until at least mid-September, driven by seasonal rainfall and poor sanitation practices like open defecation.
The NCDC is stepping up prevention and case management efforts, aiming to reduce the impact of the outbreak and prevent further fatalities.
Dr. Idris urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to public health guidelines as the country works to contain these concurrent health crises.
