Nigeria has reported a decline in Mpox cases, with three confirmed cases recorded during week 38, from September 16 to 22. This marks a drop from the eight cases reported in the previous week.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) shared this information in its latest situation report published on Monday.
Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths, but NCDC emphasizes that Mpox remains a concern, as 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have confirmed cases across 54 Local Government Areas this year.
Mpox is an illness that usually starts with symptoms like fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. A distinctive rash often follows, beginning on the face and spreading to other parts of the body, including the soles of the feet and palms of the hands.
Since September 2017, Nigeria has documented a total of 4,997 suspected Mpox cases, with 1,164 confirmed through laboratory testing, resulting in a confirmation rate of 23.3%. The outbreak has led to 17 fatalities.
The disease has spread widely across the country, affecting all 36 states and the FCT, indicating its extensive reach.
NCDC is actively coordinating the response to the Mpox outbreak through its National Mpox multi-sectoral and multi-partner Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). This effort involves various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive response, including surveillance and reporting of cases, guidance for case management, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with state governments and health agencies.
For anyone suspecting they have Mpox, the public can contact the NCDC via its toll-free number. Through this coordinated approach, the NCDC aims to reduce the spread of Mpox and safeguard the health of Nigerians.
