The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 55 cases of monkeypox (Mpox) in Nigeria, as the viral disease continues to spread across the country.
The NCDC stated that the cases were confirmed from a total of 935 suspected cases across 39 local government areas in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The health agency shared this update on its official website, reassuring Nigerians that no deaths have been recorded from the disease so far this year. The NCDC revealed that 70% of the confirmed cases were male, while 30% were female. The age distribution of the cases indicated that 19 were recorded in children aged 0-10, eight in the 11-20 age group, and 12 in those aged 21-30.
Further analysis showed: “Eight cases were recorded in ages 31-40, seven cases in ages 41-50, and one case in an individual aged 50 and above.”
Breakdown of cases
The NCDC also provided a breakdown of the confirmed cases across states
- Enugu: 8 cases
- Bayelsa: 6 cases
- Akwa Ibom: 6 cases
- Cross River: 5 cases
- Delta: 3 cases
- Benue: 3 cases
- Plateau: 3 cases
- Osun: 2 cases
- Imo: 2 cases
- FCT: 2 cases
- Anambra: 2 cases
- Rivers: 2 cases
- Abia: 2 cases
- Lagos: 1 case
- Kebbi: 1 case
- Nasarawa: 1 case
- Edo: 1 case
- Ebonyi: 1 case
- Zamfara: 1 case
- Oyo: 1 case
- Kaduna: 1 case
- Niger: 1 case
Since the outbreak started in September 2017, the NCDC noted: “A total of 4,752 suspected cases have been reported from 36 states and the FCT, with 1,141 confirmed cases (24.0 per cent) from 35 states and the FCT, and 17 deaths. Males (~70 per cent) are predominantly affected.”
The NCDC emphasized the ongoing efforts by the National Mpox multi-sectoral and multi-partner Emergency Operation Centre, which continues to coordinate the response to the outbreak across the country.
Mpox global impact
Mpox is a viral disease that causes symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a global public health emergency in August, and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention followed suit on August 13, calling it a public health emergency of continental security.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the epicenter of the outbreak, at least 13 African countries have reported cases, with Guinea recently confirming its first case. The virus has also been detected in countries outside Africa, including Pakistan, the Philippines, Sweden, and Thailand.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has given its approval for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to initiate the procurement of vaccines to combat mpox, despite the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) decision still pending.