On Thursday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced that Nigeria has recorded a total of 39 confirmed cases of Mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the beginning of 2024, with no reported deaths.
This update was provided by NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, during a press conference in Abuja.
Dr. Idris also reported that, as of August 11, 2024, Nigeria has recorded 5,951 suspected cholera cases and 176 deaths across all 36 states and the FCT.
The announcement comes amid a public health emergency declared by the Africa Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday, in response to a growing Mpox outbreak on the continent, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak in the DRC has expanded beyond its borders, with a new viral strain detected outside the country for the first time since it emerged in September 2023. So far in 2024, about 2,863 confirmed Mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries.
Dr. Idris provided a breakdown of the Mpox cases in Nigeria, with Bayelsa and Cross River each recording five cases, Ogun and Lagos with four cases each, and Ondo and Ebonyi each reporting three cases.
He emphasized the importance of intensified coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the virus’s spread and prevent cross-border transmission.
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease endemic in several African countries, including the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa.
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While the exact reservoir of the virus remains unknown, rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to play a role in its transmission.
The virus can spread from animals to humans through direct contact with infected animals, and from human to human through contact with the virus from an infected person or contaminated materials.
Dr. Idris noted that the National Mpox Technical Working Group, a multi-sectoral body within the NCDC, continues to coordinate the response to Mpox.
Surveillance has been intensified across Nigeria, with port health services at international airports, seaports, and land borders on high alert.
The government is also conducting contact tracing and monitoring confirmed cases to prevent further spread.
Additionally, states including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba have been put on high alert.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC is considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, with Nigeria expecting to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.
Regarding the cholera outbreak, Dr. Idris highlighted that the most affected age group is children under five years old.
He noted that the trend of suspected cholera cases is expected to fluctuate and may persist until Epidemic Week 37, consistent with patterns observed from 2020 to 2024.
The ongoing rainy season is likely to contribute to an increase in cases.
High rates of open defecation, leading to contamination of water sources, are a significant contributing factor to the outbreak.
In response, the NCDC plans to enhance prevention strategies and case management measures to effectively address and mitigate the outbreak.
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