39 Cases Of Mpox Recorded In Nigeria With Zero Death – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a total of 39 confirmed monkeypox cases across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with no fatalities to date. This information was shared by Dr. Jide Idris, the NCDC Director General, during a press briefing on Thursday, following the recent classification of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern.

Dr. Idris emphasized the NCDC's ongoing efforts to enhance surveillance nationwide, aiming to detect and address new cases promptly. He noted that all port health services across Nigeria's five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land and foot crossing borders are now on heightened alert.

Additionally, certain states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been placed on high alert due to the rising concerns.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the surge of monkeypox cases in Africa a global public health emergency on Wednesday, citing significant case increases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the virus's spread to neighboring countries. This declaration followed a meeting of experts who reviewed the situation and recommended that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus take decisive action.

In a press conference, Tedros stated, "Today, the emergency committee convened and advised me that the situation indeed qualifies as a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted their advice." He underscored the importance of global cooperation in addressing the outbreak, emphasizing WHO's commitment to coordinating a worldwide response, working closely with affected nations to curb transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.

This decision follows the African Union's earlier declaration of a public health emergency due to the escalating monkeypox outbreak. The virus, initially identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has seen a significant resurgence in the region, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported this year alone in the DRC, surpassing last year's total.