The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 39 confirmed cases of mpox across the country this year, with no associated deaths.
This comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” following a surge in cases, particularly in Africa, where the disease is endemic in Nigeria and several other Central and West African countries.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, revealed that the mpox cases have been recorded in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The highest number of cases has been reported in Bayelsa (16), Cross River (5), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3).
“The national mpox technical working group (TWG), a multi-sectoral body within the NCDC, continues to coordinate response activities across the country,” Idris stated.
He highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance surveillance nationwide to quickly detect and address new cases. This includes heightened alert levels at all five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land and foot crossing borders, where port health officers are now screening for suspected cases.
Idris also mentioned that the NCDC is considering the introduction of vaccinations for high-risk groups, with Nigeria expected to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.
States such as Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the FCT have been put on high alert due to the mpox threat. In addition, contact tracing and monitoring of confirmed cases are underway to prevent further spread of the disease.
The NCDC has also alerted public and private hospitals across the country about the mpox outbreak, providing them with a list of referral isolation and treatment centers in the six geopolitical zones.
During the briefing, Idris provided an update on the ongoing cholera outbreak, revealing that 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths have been recorded across all 36 states and the FCT, resulting in a case fatality rate of 3 percent as of August 11. He noted that the most affected age group is children under five years old. “This data reflects a continued increase in the number of cholera cases being recorded across the country,” he added.
