As of August 2024, Nigeria has confirmed 40 cases of Mpox, a viral disease recently declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). With the emergence of a new and deadlier variant, Clade Ib, health authorities are ramping up measures to curb its spread across the country.
The Nigerian government has reintroduced health declaration forms at airports and increased border surveillance as part of a broader effort to contain the outbreak. According to Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, these measures echo the strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to prevent a full-scale crisis.
The new variant, Clade Ib, has been identified as more lethal and contagious than previous strains, with a higher mortality rate and a rapid spread across multiple African nations. Since its discovery in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September 2023, Clade Ib has caused 3,641 confirmed cases and 622 deaths across 13 African countries.
In Nigeria, confirmed cases have been recorded in 19 states, with Bayelsa, Cross River, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Benue leading the infection chart. While the number of cases in Nigeria remains lower than in Central Africa, the situation poses a significant threat.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease related to smallpox. It can be transmitted from animals to humans and through close human contact. The disease has a history of being endemic in parts of Africa, but the recent outbreak of Clade Ib has raised alarm due to its aggressive spread and severity.
Preventive measures remain crucial in combating Mpox. Health experts recommend good hygiene, regular hand washing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and being vigilant for symptoms such as fever, headache, and a characteristic rash.
With vaccines still in limited supply across Africa, the WHO and Africa CDC have raised concerns about the inequities in global healthcare access. Nigeria recently received 10,000 doses from the United States, but more is needed to protect the population.
The rapid spread of Mpox Clade Ib underscores the need for continued vigilance and immediate action to prevent a larger outbreak.
