The number of confirmed mpox cases in Nigeria has risen to 789, with the death toll now at eight, according to recent reports. A situation report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that Nigeria has the highest number of mpox cases and deaths in the African region. Globally, 85,860 confirmed cases and 93 deaths have been reported from 110 countries across all six WHO regions as of 16 February.
The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on the multi‑country mpox outbreak convened for the fourth time on 9 February. WHO Director‑General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus agreed with the committee’s advice that the outbreak continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. While acknowledging global progress, the committee expressed concern about ongoing transmission in some countries and possible under‑detection and under‑reporting elsewhere, particularly where animal‑to‑human transmission had previously occurred.
The African region report detailed the following case counts: Benin – three cases; Cameroon – 18 cases and three deaths; Central African Republic – 22 cases; Congo – five cases; Democratic Republic of the Congo – 370 cases; Ghana – 121 cases and four deaths; Liberia – seven cases; Mozambique – one case and one death; South Africa – five cases. The WHO noted that mpox continues to circulate in animal hosts, with occasional spillover to humans. This not only causes suffering in local populations but also enables the virus to be exported to other areas or countries, potentially through international trade of susceptible animals or travel by infected persons.
The UN agency advised countries to integrate mpox prevention, preparedness, and response into programmes and services for sexual health, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. It also called for continued strengthening of research through a One Health approach, coordinated with partner agencies. Experts emphasize that intervention strategies to mitigate the risk of zoonotic spillover are essential to prevent future local and global outbreaks.
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