The NCDC has confirmed 48 cases of monkey pox across 19 states and the FCT
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that 48 cases of Mpox have been confirmed from a total of 868 suspected cases across 35 local government areas in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This update is detailed in the Mpox Situation Report for Week 34 (ending August 25), which was published on the agency’s website on Friday.
The report indicates that no fatalities have occurred from the disease this year. It highlights that during Epidemiological Week 34 of 2024, there were 57 new suspected cases reported, up from 25 in the previous week. Additionally, eight new confirmed cases were recorded in Week 34, compared to just one case in Week 33.
As of now, confirmed Mpox cases have been reported across 20 states and the FCT, spanning 35 local government areas throughout 2024. The distribution of confirmed cases by age group is as follows: 17 cases in individuals aged 0-10, seven cases in those aged 11-20, nine cases among 21-30 year-olds, eight cases in the 31-40 age group, and seven cases in the 41-50 age range.
The affected states include Lagos (one case), Rivers (two), Bayelsa (six), Abia (one), Delta (two), Imo (one), Edo (one), FCT (two), Anambra (two), Cross River (five), Plateau (two), Akwa Ibom (four), Nasarawa (one), Oyo (one), Kaduna (one), Ebonyi (one), Benue (three), Enugu (eight), Osun (two), Kebbi (one), and Zamfara (one).
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans and typically occurs in isolated villages in Central and West Africa near tropical rainforests. It is caused by the Mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes the variola virus (responsible for smallpox), the vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and the cowpox virus (historically used in smallpox vaccination). With the eradication of smallpox, Mpox has emerged as the most significant Orthopox virus.
On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. In response, the National Mpox Multi-Sectoral and Multi-Partner Emergency Operation Centre continues to lead the national response efforts.
