As the World Health Organization declares Monkey Pox a global health emergency, Nigeria records 39 cases of the disease
The World Health Organization on Wednesday, August 14 declared Mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries in Africa.
A “public health emergency of international concern,” or PHEIC, is the WHO’s highest level of alert, and it can accelerate research, funding and international public health measures and co-operation to contain the disease.
Early last week, Africa’s top public health body similarly declared Mpox, an emergency after warning that the viral infection was spreading at an alarming rate.
More than 17,000 suspected mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported on the African continent so far this year, a 160 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Cases have been reported in 13 countries.
Mpox has two distinct viral clades, I and II. Both versions can spread through close contact with an infected person or via direct contact with infected animals or contaminated materials.
At the local level, The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has confirmed 39 cases of Mpox in the country.
The agency, however, said that so far, no death has been recorded from the disease already confirmed in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The Director General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed these at a media briefing on Thursday, August 15, 2024 to provide updates on the ongoing outbreaks of cholera, Mpox, and other events of public health importance.
The development came, following the declaration of Mpox as a public health emergency of international and continental concern by both the WHO, and ACDC.
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.”
