The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a significant rise in Mpox cases, with 48 confirmed infections recorded from 868 suspected cases across 35 local government areas in 19 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This update comes from the Mpox situation report for week 34 (August 25), which was posted on the NCDC’s official website on Friday. Despite the increase in cases, the NCDC confirmed that no deaths have been reported from the disease so far in 2024. The report noted, “57 new suspected cases were reported in Epi week 34, 2024, compared with 25 cases reported in the previous week (Epi week 33).”
Further details reveal that eight new confirmed cases were reported in week 34, a substantial increase from just one confirmed case in the previous week. The cumulative data for 2024 shows that Mpox cases have been identified in 20 states and the FCT, spanning 35 local government areas.
Age Distribution And Geographical Spread
The breakdown of confirmed Mpox cases by age shows that children aged 0-10 have been most affected, with 17 cases. Other age groups affected include 11-20 years (7 cases), 21-30 years (9 cases), 31-40 years (8 cases), and 41-50 years (7 cases).
The confirmed cases are spread across the following states: Lagos (1), Rivers (2), Bayelsa (6), Abia (1), Delta (2), Imo (1), Edo (1), FCT (2), Anambra (2), Cross River (5), Plateau (2), Akwa Ibom (4), Nasarawa (1), Oyo (1), Kaduna (1), Ebonyi (1), Benue (3), Enugu (8), Osun (2), Kebbi (1), and Zamfara (1).
Understanding Mpox: A Public Health Threat
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease, primarily found in remote villages of Central and West Africa near tropical rainforests. The disease is caused by the Mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, the same family that includes the variola virus (smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus. Following the global eradication of smallpox, the Mpox virus has emerged as a significant Orthopoxvirus threat.
In response to the rising cases, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental security on August 13, 2024. The NCDC’s National Mpox multi-sectoral and multi-partner Emergency Operation Centre is actively coordinating the response efforts across Nigeria.
Nigeria Prepares For Mpox Vaccination
To curb the spread of Mpox, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced plans to commence vaccination on October 8, 2024. Remi Adeleke, Head of the Public Relations Unit at NPHCDA, disclosed that vaccine deployment would begin from October 3 to 6, 2024.
Adeleke said, “The date for vaccine deployment based on the current chronogram is from October 3rd to 6th, 2024. This timeline aligns with the three to six weeks required for NAFDAC to complete regulatory procedures, including sampling, traceability, and lab analysis. The tentative implementation date for the vaccination campaign is October 8, 2024.”
Due to limited vaccine availability, only 9,980 doses of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine are currently available. These will be distributed evenly across five states, with 1,996 doses allocated to each. The selection of these states will be based on the current trend of Mpox cases, in collaboration with the NCDC.
