Mpox Disease Outbreak: NCDC Warns Nigerians

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NSDC) has raised alert over mpox disease outbreak warning Nigerians to be wary.

Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans, and has thus far a total of 39 confirmed cases in the country but zero deaths across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NDDC Director General, Dr Jide Idris, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, thus far, Nigeria has recorded a total of 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths as of August 11, 2024.

“In Nigeria, cumulatively, a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths have been recorded across 33 States + FCT, from the beginning of the year 2024. Bayelsa (five), Cross River (five), Ogun (four), Lagos (four), Ondo (three), and Ebonyi (three) lead the pack.

“Noting the significant concern of the ease of cross-border transmission, this press conference is part of the effort to intensify our coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent disease importation,” Idris said.

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He declared a public health emergency over the growing Mpox outbreak on the continent, which by account had already swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A new viral strain of mpox , first emerged in September 2023, and had been detected outside DRC.

But given the high mobility rate of people within the region, it is believed to have high potential of spreading fast

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

“This puts all port health services across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert. Diagnostic protocols according to the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response are now distributed to these locations and port health officers are on high alert and screening for suspected cases.

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Providing more facts on the disease outbreak, he said: “Some states have also been put on high alert including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba.

“We are also conducting contact tracing and monitoring for confirmed cases to prevent further spread. This will now also include a declaration by travellers who have been to any of the countries where there has been an ongoing outbreak of mpox in the last 90 days,” he said.