The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 55 confirmed cases of Mpox from a total of 935 suspected cases across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of epidemiological week 35, which concluded on September 1, 2024.
This update indicates a rise in the number of confirmed cases compared to the previous week, highlighting the ongoing challenge of managing the outbreak.
According to the latest NCDC report, no fatalities have been recorded this year, a positive sign amidst the growing number of cases. The data reveals that 70 percent of those affected are males, while females make up the remaining 30 percent. The age distribution is also notable, with 19 cases found in children aged 0-10 and 12 cases in the 21-30 age group, suggesting that the virus is affecting a wide range of age groups.
Enugu state has emerged as the most affected, with eight confirmed cases, followed closely by Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, each reporting six cases. Other states with confirmed cases include Cross River, Delta, Benue, Plateau, Osun, and Lagos, showing a broad geographical spread of the virus across the country.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that shares similarities with smallpox, though it is generally less severe. Symptoms include fever, a distinctive rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus is primarily spread through close contact with infected individuals or animals, as well as through respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
This isn’t the first time Nigeria has faced an Mpox outbreak. The country has been dealing with periodic outbreaks since the disease was first reported in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Nigeria, Mpox re-emerged in 2017 after nearly four decades without any reported cases, leading to a significant outbreak that has since resulted in sporadic cases across various states. The current outbreak underscores the persistent threat the virus poses, despite efforts to control it.
The NCDC has assured the public that the National Mpox Emergency Operation Centre remains actively engaged in coordinating the response to this outbreak. They are working closely with state health authorities and international partners to manage and contain the spread of the virus, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance and public health measures. Additionally, the NCDC continues to conduct research and surveillance to better understand the virus and its transmission dynamics in the Nigerian context, with the goal of improving future responses to potential outbreaks.
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