The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced on Thursday that the country has recorded 39 confirmed cases of mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2024, with no fatalities reported.
The Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed this during a press conference in Abuja, where he also disclosed that 5,951 suspected cholera cases and 176 deaths have been reported across all 36 states and the FCT as of August 11, 2024.
The announcement comes as the Africa Centre for Disease Control declared a public health emergency earlier in the week due to the escalating Mpox outbreak, which has particularly impacted the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak in DRC has now spread beyond its borders, with a new viral strain first detected in September 2023 being identified in other African countries.
As of 2024, there have been 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths across 13 African nations.
Dr. Idris emphasized the seriousness of the situation in Nigeria, stating, “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.”
The NCDC has ramped up its efforts to monitor and control the spread of mpox, with heightened surveillance at Nigeria’s five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land border crossings.
Port health officers have been placed on high alert, and diagnostic protocols have been distributed to these locations.
Additionally, certain states, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba, have been put on high alert. Contact tracing and monitoring are also being conducted for confirmed cases to prevent further spread.
Mpox, a rare zoonotic viral disease, is endemic in several African countries, particularly in the rainforests of Central and West Africa.
While the exact animal reservoir of the virus remains unknown, it is suspected that rodents, squirrels, and monkeys play a role in its transmission.
The virus can spread from animals to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their body fluids, and from human to human through contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials.
The NCDC is also considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, with Nigeria expecting to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.
Regarding cholera, Dr. Idris provided an update, noting that, as of August 11, 2024, there have been 5,951 suspected cholera cases and 176 deaths recorded across 36 states and the FCT.
The most affected demographic is children under five years old. He warned that the trend of cholera cases may continue to fluctuate, with the potential for an increase in cases due to current rainfall patterns.
Contributing factors to the cholera outbreak include high rates of open defecation, which contaminate water sources.
The NCDC plans to intensify prevention strategies and improve case management to combat the ongoing cholera outbreak effectively.
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