The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 55 cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Nigeria.
The confirmed cases stem from 935 suspected cases reported across 39 local government areas in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the NCDC’s latest update, no deaths have been recorded this year. The majority of the cases (70%) were male, while 30% were female.
The centre provided a breakdown of the cases by age group, revealing that 19 cases were found among individuals aged 0-10, eight cases in those aged 11-20, 12 in the 21-30 age group, and eight cases in individuals aged 31-40. Additionally, seven cases were reported in the 41-50 age group, with one case in an individual aged 50 and above.
The NCDC highlighted the geographical spread of the cases, noting that Enugu had the highest number of confirmed cases (eight), followed by Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, with six cases each. Cross River recorded five cases, while Delta, Benue, and Plateau had three cases each. Other states, including Osun, Imo, FCT, Anambra, and Rivers, reported two cases each. Lagos, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Edo, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Oyo, Kaduna, and Niger recorded one case each.
The agency also provided an overview of the Mpox outbreak in Nigeria since its re-emergence in 2017.
“Since September 2017, 4,752 suspected cases have been reported from 36 states and the FCT, with 1,141 confirmed cases (24.0%) and 17 deaths. Males make up approximately 70% of the affected individuals,” the NCDC stated.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, shares similarities with smallpox but is generally less severe. It presents with symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can spread from animals to humans, as well as between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a global public health emergency in August. Similarly, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) designated Mpox a public health emergency of continental security, citing the need for immediate action.
The outbreak has also been reported in at least 13 African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea, and cases have surfaced in Pakistan, the Philippines, Sweden, and Thailand.
The NCDC’s National Mpox Emergency Operation Centre continues to coordinate the country’s response efforts across multiple sectors and partners.