By Joke Kujenya
BORDER SURVEILLANCE has ramped up by the Nigerian health authorities following a significant rise in mpox cases across Africa.
Moreover, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced heightened monitoring at key entry points, including international airports, seaports, and land borders, to prevent the spread of the virus within the country.
Similarly, in a recent update, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths across 13 African countries this year.
Nigeria, so far, has recorded 39 cases but no fatalities.
To counter the growing threat, the NCDC has intensified its efforts to track and respond to new cases, deploying diagnostic tools across states and distributing health declaration forms on flights from affected regions.
Jide Idris, head of the NCDC, emphasized the importance of preparedness.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and have placed our key entry points on high alert to detect and respond swiftly to any new cases,” he stated.
The agency also issued public guidelines to reduce transmission, including avoiding contact with animals like rodents and monkeys, which are known carriers of the virus.
The mpox outbreak has spread rapidly across central and eastern Africa, with a new, more deadly strain contributing to the rise in cases.
This variant, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo and later detected in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare mpox a global health emergency.
The declaration aims to mobilize international resources and coordinate efforts to contain the outbreak.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed that the country has reinforced its health defenses.
He noted that the government had implemented stringent measures even before the WHO’s emergency declaration.
“We are taking proactive steps to mitigate the impact of this outbreak, including enhanced screening and the activation of infectious disease centers across all states,” Pate said.
As part of its strategy, Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the newly approved mpox vaccine, which will be targeted at high-risk groups.
The NCDC is also collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture to support these efforts and ensure a coordinated response to the outbreak.
The WHO’s emergency declaration underscores the severity of the current situation, with experts warning that the new strain could lead to more widespread transmission if not contained.
Health authorities worldwide are urging swift action to prevent the virus from spreading beyond Africa’s borders.
NCDC Confirms 39 Mpox Cases in Nigeria, Intensifies Nationwide Surveillance
AMID GROWING global concerns over the Mpox virus outbreak, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases in the country.
In response, the NCDC has issued a health advisory aimed at curbing the spread.
The NCDC has notified both public and private hospitals about the Mpox alert, distributing a list of referral isolation and treatment centers across the six geopolitical zones.
The NCDC also reported 5,951 suspected cholera cases with 178 deaths in Nigeria.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, stated that the center is closely monitoring endemic diseases like Mpox, which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO and the Africa CDC.
Idris provided updates on the ongoing outbreaks, noting that in 2024 alone, 2,863 confirmed Mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries, with a new strain emerging in eastern Congo and spreading to Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
In Nigeria, 39 confirmed Mpox cases have been recorded across 33 states and the FCT, with Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, and Ebonyi leading in case numbers.
Despite this, Idris assured that there is no significant concern about cross-border transmission in Nigeria. The National Mpox Technical Working Group (TWG) is coordinating response activities.
The NCDC has intensified surveillance nationwide, putting all port health services on high alert, including international airports, seaports, and land borders.
Diagnostic protocols have been distributed, and Port Health officers are screening for suspected cases. States like Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba are also on high alert.
NCDC field workers are conducting contact tracing and monitoring confirmed cases to prevent further spread. Travelers from countries with ongoing Mpox outbreaks must declare their travel history within the last 90 days.
The NCDC continues to provide healthcare workers and the public with updated guidance on infection prevention and control measures.
As part of efforts to prevent the spread, WHO urges the public to avoid contact with animals that could harbor the virus, particularly in areas where Mpox has been confirmed, and to practice frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after caring for or visiting sick individuals.
WHO Director-General declares mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern
