The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a significant rise in Mpox cases, with 48 confirmed cases out of 868 suspected cases across 35 local government areas in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This was disclosed in the Mpox situation report for Week 34, released on August 25, 2024.
The report revealed that there has been no recorded death from the disease in 2024, but the number of suspected and confirmed cases continues to rise. In Week 34 alone, 57 new suspected cases were reported, with eight confirmed, compared to the 25 suspected and one confirmed case in the previous week (Week 33).
The distribution of confirmed cases by age groups shows that the disease affects a broad range of ages: 17 cases among ages 0-10, seven cases among ages 11-20, nine cases among ages 21-30, eight cases among ages 31-40, and seven cases among ages 41-50.
The confirmed cases are distributed across several states, including Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, Delta, Imo, Edo, FCT, Anambra, Cross River, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Oyo, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu, Osun, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
Mpox, a viral zoonotic disease primarily found in Central and West Africa, is caused by the Mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes the viruses that cause smallpox and cowpox. Following the eradication of smallpox, Mpox has emerged as the most significant Orthopoxvirus.
On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental security, highlighting the growing concern over the disease’s spread.
In response to the outbreak, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced plans to commence Mpox vaccination on October 8, 2024. Remi Adeleke, head of the Public Relations Unit at NPHCDA, stated that vaccine deployment is set to begin between October 3 and 6, 2024. The agency plans to deploy the limited available doses of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine (9,980 doses) evenly across five states, each receiving 1,996 doses. The selection of states for vaccine implementation is being finalized based on the current trend of cases, in collaboration with the NCDC.
The NPHCDA’s efforts represent a crucial step in managing and controlling the spread of Mpox in Nigeria, with the vaccination campaign expected to play a vital role in protecting at-risk populations.
