Mpox Spreads, Rises To 39 In Nigeria, Bayelsa State Records Highest Cases

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the outbreak of Mpox less than 48 hours after World Health Organization, WHO, announced its spread, through its public health emergency of international concern, the Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria has recorder total number of 39 confirmed cases.

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) stressed that no death has been recorded across the country.

The Mpox outbreak has swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing held in Abuja.

“In Nigeria, cumulatively, a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths have been recorded across 33 States and the FCT, from the beginning of the year 2024. Bayelsa (16), Cross River (5), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) leading 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.

However, the NCDC said that so far, no death has been recorded from the disease already confirmed in 33 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Idris named Bayelsa as leading the 33 states with five confirmed cases, while Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states all trailed behind with four confirmed cases.

Idris said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has been closely monitoring several endemic diseases including mPox which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International / Continental Concern (PHEIC / PHECC) by both the WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ACDC.

“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 (5),Cross River (4), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) leading 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.”

He also said that so far, about 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths across 13 African countries had been reported in 2024 alone.

According to him, this alarming increase is linked to a new strain of the Mpox virus which emerged in Eastern Congo and has since been detected in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

He said the National Mpox Technical Working Group, TWG, a multi-sectoral body housed within the NCDC, would continue to coordinate Mpox’ response activities.

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

“Thus putting all port health services across all five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert.

“Diagnostic protocols according to the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Control, IDSR are now distributed to these locations and port health officers are on high alert and screening for suspected cases.

“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 declaration by travellers who have been to any of the countries where there is an ongoing outbreak of MPX in the last 90 days.

“Additionally, we continue to provide healthcare workers and the public with updated guidance on infection prevention and control measures and train SURGE staff as part of our preparedness and readiness for an MPX public health event.

”The NCDC is also notifying public and private hospitals about the MPX alert and sending a list of referral isolation/treatment centers across the 6 geopolitical zones and reference laboratory networks which includes NRL, CPHL, NIMR, LUTH, ACEGID, UNTH, UPTH.

“We are also considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, as Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.

“The Technical Working Group ,TWG remains committed to providing evidence-based guidance to inform the country’s next steps in safeguarding the health of Nigerians at national, state, and local government levels,” he said further.

Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease (i.e., disease of animals transmitted from animals to humans) that is endemic in several African countries including the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. The exact reservoir of the virus is still unknown, although rodents, squirrels,s and monkeys are suspected to play a part in transmission.