The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases of mpox across the country, with no reported deaths, according to Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC.
This announcement was made during a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR).
Dr. Idris reported that the confirmed cases were recorded in 33 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from the start of 2024.
The states with the highest number of cases include Bayelsa and Cross River, each with five cases; Ogun and Lagos with four cases each; and Ondo and Ebonyi with three cases each.
In light of the increasing concerns over the ease of cross-border transmission, Dr. Idris emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to manage the spread of the virus and prevent its importation into Nigeria.
He explained that mpox can spread both from animals to humans and from human to human. Animal-to-human transmission may occur through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or skin lesions of infected animals such as monkeys, squirrels, and rodents.
Additionally, human-to-human transmission happens through contact with an infected person or contaminated materials, such as clothing or bedding.
Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, body aches, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that typically begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.
The face, palms, and soles are particularly affected, and rashes may also appear in and around the genitals, making sexual contact another mode of transmission.
“As part of the government’s ongoing efforts, we have intensified surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases,” Dr. Idris stated.
He noted that all port health services across Nigeria’s five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders are on high alert, with diagnostic protocols now distributed to these locations. Port health officers are screening for suspected cases as part of these heightened measures.
Dr. Idris also highlighted that several states, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba, have been placed on high alert.
The NCDC is conducting contact tracing and monitoring confirmed cases to prevent further spread.
This effort now includes requiring travellers who have visited countries with ongoing mpox outbreaks within the last 90 days to make a declaration.
