The Federal Government has ramped up monitoring and screening measures at all entry points in response to the Monkeypox outbreak. This was revealed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, in a statement on Thursday signed by his Special Adviser on Media and External Relations, Tashikalmah Hallah.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Thursday, there have been 39 confirmed cases of mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2024, with no reported deaths.
The minister emphasized that in response to the threat of Mpox Clade 1, the country has strengthened screening at entry points. He also noted that the NCDC and the Nigeria Ports Health Services, under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, have been proactive in bolstering the nation’s defenses even before the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency.
This particular Clade 1 strain has previously caused fatalities in up to 10% of those infected. Prof. Pate stated that similar strategies to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic are being deployed to manage and reduce its impact.
The government has also introduced a new mandate requiring all incoming travelers to fill out an online health declaration form before arriving in Nigeria. This measure is being implemented alongside the activation of infectious disease centers across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister urged the public to maintain good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, especially after contact with infected individuals or animals.
The Africa Centre for Disease Control had earlier on Tuesday declared a public health emergency due to the growing mpox outbreak across the continent, with the Democratic Republic of Congo being particularly affected by a rapidly expanding outbreak that has spread beyond its borders.
A new viral strain, first identified in September 2023, has now been detected outside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the first time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the emergence and rapid spread of this clade 1b strain in the DRC, noting that it primarily spreads through sexual networks. Its detection in neighboring countries is a key factor behind the declaration of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
In 2024 alone, around 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries.
Mpox is a rare zoonotic viral disease (a disease transmitted from animals to humans) endemic in several African regions, particularly the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. Although the exact animal reservoir remains unknown, rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to be involved in its transmission.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government on Thursday distributed 46 motorcycles to tuberculosis supervisors and their deputies across the state’s 23 local councils. This initiative aims to enhance efforts in tracking and treating tuberculosis, a notorious infectious disease.
The state government highlighted that this gesture was made in collaboration with partners, including the Federal Ministry of Health. During the handover ceremony in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, emphasized that these motorcycles would help reach remote areas and contribute to eradicating tuberculosis in the state.
“Tuberculosis remains a persistent threat, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria,” Oreh stated. “With support from the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, and the Global Fund, these 46 motorcycles will empower TB supervisors to conduct active community surveillance, enabling them to reach every corner of our communities, identify infected individuals, and ensure they receive the necessary treatment.”
