The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases of mpox in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2024, with no fatalities. NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, shared this update during a press conference in Abuja, where he also revealed that 5,951 suspected cholera cases and 176 deaths have been recorded nationwide as of August 11, 2024.
Dr. Idris emphasized the growing concern of mpox transmission, especially after the Africa Centre for Disease Control declared a public health emergency due to the outbreak’s escalation, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The viral strain identified in DRC has spread to other African nations, leading to 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths across 13 countries.
In Nigeria, the states with the highest mpox cases include Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, and Ebonyi. The NCDC has intensified surveillance efforts at key entry points, including airports, seaports, and land borders, to prevent further spread. The agency is also considering vaccination for high-risk groups, with 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine expected soon.
Regarding cholera, Dr. Idris highlighted the vulnerability of children under five to the disease, which has been exacerbated by current rainfall patterns and poor sanitation practices. The NCDC is ramping up prevention strategies and improving case management to address the ongoing cholera outbreak effectively.
