The Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases of Mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Bayelsa State has emerged as the epicenter of this outbreak, reporting the highest number of confirmed cases. Despite the growing number of cases, no deaths have been reported so far, offering some relief as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the virus.
Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the NCDC, provided this update during a press conference in Abuja. The briefing aimed to inform the public about the ongoing outbreaks of Mpox, cholera, and other pressing public health concerns in the country. The announcement comes in the wake of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) declaring Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International and Continental Concern (PHEIC).
Bayelsa State currently leads with five confirmed cases of Mpox, while Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states each report four cases. Other states with notable figures include Ondo and Ebonyi, both of which have reported three cases each. These cases underscore the widespread nature of the outbreak, affecting a broad swath of the country.
Dr. Idris explained that the NCDC has been closely monitoring the situation as part of its broader mandate to oversee endemic diseases in Nigeria. The agency is particularly concerned about the potential for cross-border transmission, given Nigeria’s geographic location and its interactions with neighboring countries. The press conference was part of a coordinated effort to enhance communication and collaboration with key stakeholders, including state governments, healthcare providers, and international health organizations, to manage the spread of the virus and prevent its importation into other regions.
The NCDC’s concern is heightened by the alarming rise in Mpox cases across Africa. In 2024 alone, about 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths have been reported across 13 African countries. Dr. Idris noted that this surge is linked to a new strain of the Mpox virus, which first emerged in eastern Congo. This strain has since been detected in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, raising fears of a broader regional spread.
To combat this growing threat, the NCDC has mobilized the National Mpox Technical Working Group (TWG), a multi-sectoral body tasked with coordinating response activities across Nigeria. Dr. Idris emphasized that the government’s efforts include intensified surveillance to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases of Mpox. All port health services across Nigeria’s five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders have been put on high alert. Diagnostic protocols have been distributed to these locations, and port health officers are actively screening for suspected cases.
Certain states, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba, have been placed on high alert due to their higher risk of Mpox spread. The NCDC is conducting contact tracing and monitoring confirmed cases to prevent further transmission. In addition, travelers who have visited countries with ongoing Mpox outbreaks in the last 90 days are required to declare their travel history upon entering Nigeria.
The NCDC is also taking steps to inform and prepare healthcare workers across the country. Updated guidance on infection prevention and control measures is being provided to medical staff, and additional training for surge staff is ongoing. The goal is to ensure that healthcare facilities are ready to handle any influx of Mpox cases and to prevent further spread within communities.
Public and private hospitals nationwide have been notified about the Mpox alert. The NCDC has also sent a list of referral isolation and treatment centers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These centers are equipped to handle Mpox cases and include reference laboratories like the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Looking ahead, the NCDC is considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups. Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine, which has shown a favorable safety profile in preventing Mpox. The TWG remains committed to providing evidence-based guidance to inform the country’s next steps in safeguarding public health at the national, state, and local levels.
Dr. Idris provided further details about Mpox, describing it as a rare viral zoonotic disease. This means it is a disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans. Mpox is endemic in several African countries, particularly in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. While the exact animal reservoir of the virus remains unknown, rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to play significant roles in its transmission.
The Mpox virus can spread from animals to humans through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or skin and mucosal lesions of infected animals. This can occur through bites, scratches, or handling infected bushmeat. Infected animals, such as monkeys, squirrels, and rodents, are common sources of the virus. Human-to-human transmission is also possible and occurs through contact with the virus from an infected person or contaminated materials like clothing and bedding.
Dr. Idris highlighted the symptoms of Mpox, which include fever, headache, body aches, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. The rash typically begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms and soles. The rash can also appear around the genitals, making contact during sex another potential mode of transmission.
In his public advisory, Dr. Idris urged Nigerians to take proactive steps to prevent the spread of Mpox. These measures include avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus, especially in areas where Mpox has been confirmed. People should also avoid contact with materials that have been in contact with sick animals and refrain from unnecessary physical contact with individuals infected with Mpox. Additionally, Dr. Idris advised practicing frequent handwashing with soap and water, ensuring that all animal food products are properly cooked, and using appropriate protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals or during slaughtering procedures.
He also encouraged the public to report any cases with the associated symptoms to the nearest health facility for care or to call the NCDC toll-free line at 6232. Dr. Idris assured Nigerians that the government is making efforts to make the Mpox vaccine available, particularly in hotspot areas. He emphasized that the vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing the disease.
