The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that the country has recorded a total of 39 confirmed cases of mpox with no deaths reported across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the start of 2024. This information was shared by the NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, at a press conference held in Abuja.
In addition to the mpox cases, Dr. Idris revealed that Nigeria has also documented 5,951 suspected cholera cases, resulting in 176 deaths across 36 states and the FCT as of August 11, 2024. These figures highlight the ongoing public health challenges faced by the nation.
The Africa Centre for Disease Control declared a public health emergency on Tuesday due to the escalating Mpox outbreak across the continent. The situation has become particularly alarming in several African nations, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been significantly affected.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has expanded beyond its borders, raising concerns about cross-border transmission. A new viral strain, first identified in September 2023, has now been detected outside of the DRC for the first time.
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As of 2024, approximately 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for coordinated public health responses to manage the outbreak effectively.
Dr. Idris emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration with stakeholders to control the spread of the virus and prevent its importation into Nigeria. He noted that the confirmed cases in Nigeria include five each from Bayelsa and Cross River, four from Ogun and Lagos, and three each from Ondo and Ebonyi.
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. It is endemic in several African countries, particularly in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. Although the exact reservoir of the virus remains unknown, rodents are suspected to play a role in its transmission.
