Nigeria Records 39 Mpox Cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reports that 39 Mpox cases have been recorded in the country this year.

Mpox (previously known as Monkey Pox) was designated a “public health emergency of international concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday, August 14, following an increase in cases across Africa.

During a press briefing on Thursday, August 15, Jide Idris, NCDC director-general (DG), stated that the cases were reported in 33 states and the federal capital territory.

He claimed Bayelsa (5), Cross River (5), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) had the most instances of mpox.

“The national mpox technical working group (TWG), a multi-sectoral body housed within the NCDC, continues to coordinate mpox response activities,” he said.

“As part of the government’s ongoing efforts, we are intensifying surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases.

“This is putting all port health services across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert.

“Diagnostic protocols are now distributed to these locations, and port health officers are on high alert and screening for suspected cases.”

Idris stated that the NCDC is also contemplating immunisation for high-risk individuals, and that “Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine”.

He further stated that various states, such as Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, had been placed on high alert.

“We are also conducting contact tracing and monitoring for confirmed cases to prevent further spread,” the NCDC DG said.

“This will now also include declarations by travellers who have been to any of the countries where there has been an ongoing outbreak of MPX in the last 90 days.

“The NCDC is also notifying public and private hospitals about the mpox alert and sending a list of referral isolation/treatment centres across the 6 geopolitical zones and reference.”

Idris also provided an update on the cholera outbreak, stating that 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths had been registered in 36 states and the FCT, with a 3% case fatality rate as of August 11.

“This data reflects a continued increase in the number of cases being recorded across the country,” he said.

“So far, the most affected age groups are less than five years.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli