39 Mpox cases recorded in FCT, 33 states as NCDC expects 10,000 doses of vaccine
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reveals that the country has recorded 39 cases of Mpox this year.
However, it said the country has not recorded any deaths so far this year.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday, declared Mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” after a surge in cases recorded in Africa.
Mpox is endemic in Nigeria and many countries in Central and West Africa region.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Jide Idris, NCDC director-general (DG), said the cases were recorded across 33 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).
He said Bayelsa (5), Cross River (5), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) have recorded the highest cases of mpox.
“The national mpox technical working group (TWG), a multi-sectoral body housed within the NCDC, continues to coordinate mpox response activities”, he said.
“As part of the government’s ongoing efforts, we are intensifying surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases.
“This is putting all port health services across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert.
“Diagnostic protocols are now distributed to these locations, and port health officers are on high alert and screening for suspected cases”.
Idris said the NCDC is also considering vaccination for high-risk groups, noting that “Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine”.
He added that some states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the FCT, have been put on high alert.
“We are also conducting contact tracing and monitoring for confirmed cases to prevent further spread,” the NCDC DG said.
“This will now also include declarations by travelers who have been to any of the countries where there has been an ongoing outbreak of MPX in the last 90 days.
“The NCDC is also notifying public and private hospitals about the mpox alert and sending a list of referral isolation/treatment centres across the 6 geopolitical zones and reference.
