The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that Nigeria has reported a total of 39 confirmed cases of mpox and zero deaths across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the beginning of 2024.
During a press conference in Abuja, the NCDC’s Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed that the country has also recorded 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths across all 36 states and the FCT as of August 11, 2024.
On Tuesday, the Africa Centre for Disease Control declared a public health emergency due to the escalating Mpox outbreak on the continent, which has particularly affected the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The outbreak in the DRC has become severe and is now spreading beyond the country. A new viral strain, first identified in September 2023, has been detected outside the DRC for the first time.
In 2024 alone, 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries.
“In Nigeria, a total of 39 confirmed cases and no deaths have been recorded across 33 states and the FCT since the start of 2024. Bayelsa and Cross River each have five cases, followed by Ogun and Lagos with four cases each, while Ondo and Ebonyi each have three cases,” said Idris.
He emphasized the importance of cross-border transmission control, noting that this press conference is part of efforts to enhance coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent its importation into the country.
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease, meaning it is a disease that can be 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 is unknown, rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to play a role in its transmission.
The Mpox virus can spread from animals to humans and from humans to other humans. Animal-to-human transmission may occur through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or skin lesions of infected animals. This can happen through bites, scratches, handling, or consuming inadequately cooked meat from infected animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from an infected individual or contaminated materials like clothing or bedding.
Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, body aches, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. The rash typically begins on the face and then spreads to the body, with the face and palms/soles being most affected. It can also occur around the genitals, making sexual contact another mode of transmission.
Dr. Idris noted that the National Mpox Technical Working Group, a multi-sectoral body within the NCDC, continues to coordinate the response to the Mpox outbreak.
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