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Nigeria has seen a recent surge in Mpox cases, with the number of confirmed infections rising to 102 across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This marks an increase from the previous 94 cases, as reported by the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jide Idris, during a press briefing in Abuja.

In response to the growing threat of Mpox, particularly in light of regional cross-border transmission, the NCDC has strengthened its strategy to prevent the spread of the virus. According to Dr. Idris, the agency is primarily dealing with the Clade IIB variant, which has been circulating in Nigeria. However, they are also closely monitoring the situation in neighboring countries, such as Cameroon, where both Clade IB and IIB have been reported.

The NCDC has heightened its surveillance for Clade IB, a more severe strain of the virus that has been circulating in countries like Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This strain has the potential for rapid spread through community transmission, making it a significant concern for public health officials.

Despite the increase in cases, Dr. Idris noted that Nigeria has managed the outbreak with vigilance. As of October 13th, a total of 102 confirmed cases have been recorded across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, from 1,339 suspected cases. Encouragingly, there have been no recorded deaths, but the NCDC remains cautious in its response.

The agency’s response strategy focuses on stakeholder engagement, surveillance and diagnostic capacity, community engagement, and vaccination campaigns. In partnership with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the NCDC is facilitating the deployment of 10,000 doses of the Mpox Jynneos vaccine. These vaccines will be prioritized for high-risk groups, such as contacts of confirmed cases and immunocompromised individuals.

The vaccination campaign will focus on priority states, including Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, which have reported a high burden of Mpox cases since 2017. The NCDC is advising anyone with rash illness to visit the nearest health facility for care and is urging the general public to avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals and avoid consumption of undercooked meat.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, although human-to-human transmission can also occur. As the NCDC continues to monitor the situation and respond to the outbreak, it is essential for the public to remain aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.