The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has revealed a notable increase in Mpox infections among males in Nigeria. Since January 2024, 67% of reported Mpox cases have been in males.
According to the NCDC, men represent about 70% of the 6,001 suspected and confirmed Mpox cases in Nigeria since September 2017. The agency’s latest statistics show 1,031 suspected cases across 47 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 67 confirmed cases this year alone.
The report indicates that children under five years are the most affected demographic, followed by individuals aged 26-30 and 46-50. Despite the rise in cases, there have been no reported fatalities in 2024, in contrast to two deaths in 2022 and seven in 2023.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, can lead to symptoms such as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. The disease spreads through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
The World Health Organization recently declared Mpox a global public health emergency. Although the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter of the outbreak in Africa, Mpox has now been reported in at least 14 African countries. In response, the WHO has added the MVA-BN vaccine to its prequalification list as the first vaccine for Mpox.
