The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that the country has confirmed 39 cases of mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the beginning of 2024, with no deaths reported.
According to The PUNCH, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris disclosed that the agency has been closely monitoring the situation.
“As of August 11, Nigeria has recorded 39 confirmed mpox cases, with zero fatalities. The affected states include Bayelsa and Cross River with five cases each, Ogun and Lagos with four cases each, and Ondo and Ebonyi with three cases each,” Idris said.
Dr. Idris emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and coordination among stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus, particularly given the ease of cross-border transmission.
“This press conference is part of our efforts to strengthen communication and coordination with all relevant stakeholders to prevent the importation and spread of the virus,” he stated.
Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease, is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, with transmission occurring through direct contact with infected animals or humans. Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that often spreads from the face to other parts of the body.
The NCDC’s announcement comes as the Africa Centre for Disease Control recently declared a public health emergency due to a growing mpox outbreak on the continent, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a new viral strain has emerged and spread to other African countries.
Dr. Idris also provided an update on Nigeria’s ongoing cholera outbreak, revealing that the country has recorded 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths across all 36 states and the FCT as of August 11, 2024. He noted that the majority of those affected are children under five years old.
“The trend of suspected cholera cases is expected to fluctuate, potentially persisting until Epidemic Week 37. The contributing factors include high rates of open defecation, leading to contamination of water sources. We are enhancing our prevention strategies and case management to effectively address this outbreak,” Idris said.
He added that the NCDC is considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, with Nigeria expecting to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to combat the mpox outbreak. Additionally, the agency has intensified surveillance at all international airports, seaports, and land borders to detect and respond to any new cases swiftly.
