BREAKING: Nigeria Reports 39 Mpox Cases and 5,951 Cholera Cases Amidst Rising Health Concerns

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Thursday confirmed that Nigeria has recorded a total of 39 confirmed cases of Mpox and zero deaths across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since the beginning of 2024.

NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, also revealed that the country has recorded a total of 5,951 suspected cholera cases, resulting in 176 deaths across 36 states and the FCT as of August 11, 2024.

The Africa Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday declared a public health emergency due to the escalating Mpox outbreak across the continent. The outbreak has swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A new viral strain, which first emerged in September 2023, has now been detected outside the DRC for the first time.

“In Nigeria, cumulatively, a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths have been recorded across 33 states and the FCT from the beginning of 2024. Bayelsa (five), Cross River (five), Ogun (four), Lagos (four), Ondo (three), and Ebonyi (three) lead the pack,” Idris stated.

Given the significant concern over the ease of cross-border transmission, the press conference was part of the NCDC’s effort to intensify coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent its importation.

Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease endemic in several African countries, particularly in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. The exact reservoir of the virus is still unknown, although rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to play a part in transmission. The Mpox virus can spread from animals to humans and from human to human. Animal-to-human transmission may occur through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, skin, or mucosal lesions of infected animals, such as monkeys, squirrels, and rodents. Human-to-human transmission occurs through contact with the virus from an infected human or materials contaminated with the virus, such as clothing or bedding.

Symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, body aches, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. The rash typically begins on the face and then spreads to the body, often affecting the face, palms, and soles. The rash can also occur in and around the genitals, making sexual contact another possible mode of transmission.

The NCDC DG noted that the National Mpox Technical Working Group, a multi-sectoral body housed within the NCDC, continues to coordinate Mpox response activities.

“As part of the government’s ongoing efforts, we have intensified surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases. This puts all port health services across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert. Diagnostic protocols according to the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response are now distributed to these locations, and port health officers are on high alert and screening for suspected cases.

“Some states have also been put on high alert, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba. We are also conducting contact tracing and monitoring for confirmed cases to prevent further spread. This will now also include a declaration by travelers who have been to any of the countries where there has been an ongoing outbreak of Mpox in the last 90 days,” he said.

He added that the agency is considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, as Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.

Providing an update on cholera, Dr. Idris highlighted that, “As of August 11, 2024, a total of 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths have been recorded across 36 states, the FCT, and 152 Local Government Areas, with a case fatality rate of 3.0%. This data reflects a continued increase in the number of cases being recorded across the country. So far, the most affected age groups are children under five years old.

“The trend of suspected cholera cases is anticipated to exhibit fluctuations and may persist until Epidemic Week 37. This projection is consistent with the patterns observed in cholera outbreaks in Nigeria from 2020 to 2024. The current rainfall forecasts suggest that there may be an increase in the number of cases.

“Contributing factors to the outbreak include high rates of open defecation, which lead to contamination of water sources through the runoff of fecal matter. In response, we will enhance both prevention strategies and case management measures to effectively address and mitigate the outbreak.”

The NCDC’s efforts to contain these outbreaks continue, with heightened surveillance, cross-border coordination, and public awareness campaigns underway. The threat posed by Mpox and cholera remains a significant public health challenge for Nigeria, requiring urgent and coordinated action across all levels of government and society.