NCDC advises Nigerians as 39 fresh Mpox cases emerge

As global concerns rise over the spread of the Mpox virus, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases within the country.

In a bid to curb the virus’s spread, the NCDC has released a health advisory to the public.

The NCDC has also alerted both public and private healthcare facilities about the Mpox threat, providing them with a list of designated isolation and treatment centers across the six geopolitical zones.

The Centre further reported that Nigeria has documented 5,951 suspected cholera cases, resulting in 178 fatalities.

According to a statement by NCDC’s Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency is closely monitoring several endemic diseases, including Mpox, which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

While offering an update on ongoing outbreaks such as cholera and Mpox, Dr. Idris disclosed that 2,863 confirmed cases of Mpox and 517 related deaths have been recorded across 13 African countries in 2024.

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He attributed this surge to a new Mpox strain originating from eastern Congo, which has now been detected in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Dr. Idris noted that in Nigeria, 39 confirmed Mpox cases have been reported across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since the beginning of 2024. States like Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, and Ebonyi have reported the highest numbers of cases.

Despite the growing number of cases, Dr. Idris reassured the public that there is no significant threat of cross-border transmission within Nigeria. He mentioned that the National Mpox Technical Working Group (TWG) is coordinating the response efforts.

The NCDC is enhancing surveillance across Nigeria to quickly identify and respond to new cases. This includes placing port health services at all international airports, seaports, and land borders on high alert. Diagnostic protocols have been distributed, and Port Health officers are screening for suspected cases.

Certain states, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba, have been placed on heightened alert. NCDC field workers are actively conducting contact tracing and monitoring confirmed cases to prevent further spread.

The advisory also noted that travelers who have visited countries with active Mpox outbreaks in the last 90 days must declare their travel history. Furthermore, healthcare workers and the public are being provided with updated guidelines on infection prevention and control, and SURGE staff are being trained to handle potential Mpox outbreaks.

The NCDC urged the public to adhere to established infection prevention measures to curb the spread of Mpox.

These measures include avoiding contact with animals that may carry the virus, particularly in areas where Mpox has been confirmed, and practicing good hygiene, such as regular hand washing with soap and water.

The public is also advised to avoid unnecessary physical contact with individuals infected with Mpox and to isolate potentially infected animals from others.

NCDC advises Nigerians as 39 fresh Mpox cases emerge