Cross River Epidemiologist Inyang Ekpenyong recently confirmed two new cases of MPX in Calabar City Local Government Area, bringing the total number of cases reported in Nigeria since 2017 to 1,136.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate
This development has raised concerns about the spread of the disease, particularly among children and vulnerable populations.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
It is primarily spread by close contact with infected animals or people, but can also be transmitted through contaminated surfaces or materials.
Experts say the disease has been reported in 19 African countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo at its epicenter, accounting for more than 95% of cases.
Nigeria has experienced a resurgence of MPOX outbreaks since 2017, with 4,685 suspected cases and 17 deaths reported as of August 25, 2024.
The Nigeria Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) has called on the federal and state governments to step up financial investment and surveillance responses to the disease outbreak.
In a statement issued in Abuja by Prof. Dimy Ogoyina and Prof. Mukhtar Adeiza, NIDS said that as of August 28, Mpox had killed 630 people in 19 African countries.
This figure represents a 160 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, it said.
The society said it was concerned about the emergence of a new sexually transmitted disease strain called clade type Ib.
The disease is spreading from different parts of the country. The number of infected people is on the rise.
The Akwa Ibom Ministry of Health Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Samuel Etuku, said the state had recorded five cases at the time of filing this report.
Speaking in the state capital Uyo, Etuku said the state government had earlier announced four outbreaks.
He said a total of 30 samples were collected in different local government areas for diagnosis, out of which four samples tested positive for Mpox.
“Four people have been confirmed to be infected, three of whom are male and one female, aged 2, 4, 12 and 41,” he said.
“This confirmation was made by Breakthrough Action Nigeria in collaboration with the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme.
“Another positive case of Mpox. This latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases in the state to five,” he said.
Etuku said contact tracing of the infection is being carried out while the infected person is in isolation.
Disease surveillance officials said 10 community-based informants were engaged in activities in the catchment area.
“They will report it to the health care facility representative, who will liaise with the local government disease surveillance and notification office.
“The full report will later be submitted to the state health department for immediate action,” he said.
The officer said Mpox can be prevented by avoiding contact with infected people and animals.
The World Health Organization has declared MPOX a global public health emergency and of international concern in Africa.
Dr Francis Sanwo said reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission, monitoring and quickly identifying new cases are key to meeting the challenges posed by Mpox.
Mr. Sanwo is the Executive Director of Our Lady Catholic Hospital, Ibadan.
Speaking in Ibadan, Oluyolo said standard infection precautions should be taken for health workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed Mpox virus infection.
“If possible, a person who has previously been vaccinated against smallpox should be selected to care for the patient,” he said.
Doctors advised that patients with the disease should be physically isolated until all smallpox lesions have healed, while caregivers should receive smallpox vaccination.
“Smallpox and Mpox are so closely related that research suggests that people who receive the smallpox vaccine have an approximately 85 percent chance of being protected from Mpox.
“While smallpox vaccination was protective in the past, people under the age of 40 to 50 may now be more susceptible to Mpox in some countries.
“This is because smallpox vaccination campaigns were discontinued around the world after smallpox was eradicated.
“Patients who are immunocompromised or allergic to latex or smallpox vaccines should not receive smallpox vaccines.
“Other people who have been exposed to Mpox in the past 14 days should receive the smallpox vaccine, including children under 1 year of age, pregnant women, and people with skin conditions,” he said.
Sanwo said clinical care for Mpox needs to be fully optimized to reduce symptoms, manage complications and prevent long-term sequelae.
He said patients should be provided with fluids and food to maintain proper nutritional status, while secondary bacterial infections should be treated as directed.
“An antiviral drug known as tecobilimat, developed for smallpox, was approved for Mpox by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2022, based on data from animal and human studies.
“But it is not yet widely available,” the medical expert said.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is advocating for urgent action to increase access to the Mpox vaccine and prioritize public health over profit to ensure health safety.
AHF’s Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Eshei Ijeji, was quoted in the media as saying that the recent MPOX outbreak poses a serious health threat in Africa.
He said urgent global action is needed to address vaccine inequalities that are hampering the continent’s ability to respond effectively.
“African Health Founder (Nigeria) calls on governments, international organizations and pharmaceutical companies to prioritize public health over profits.
“This is not just about Mpox or Africa. It’s about global health security. Inequalities everywhere are a threat to health everywhere,” he said.
Mr IJezie expressed concern about the current response to the Mpox outbreak, saying it reflects the inequalities witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He therefore called on Western countries and Japan to facilitate the donation of Mpox vaccines to Africa.
He also called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to expedite approval of other viable vaccine options.
“We began our commitment to equity during the COVID-19 pandemic and witnessed the devastating impact of vaccine hoarding on African countries.
“We are now seeing similar challenges unfolding at Mpox.
WHO declared Mpox a global health emergency on August 14, 2024, which was primarily spread by skin-to-skin contact and symptoms included rashes and skin lesions.
Experts say the severe Mpox outbreak in Africa is mainly caused by the new clade Ib variant, which is especially deadly to children.
The virus has affected at least 13 countries across Africa, with more than 22,800 confirmed cases and more than 620 deaths reported this year.
To prevent the spread of Mpox, health authorities recommended increasing surveillance, contact tracing, listing and monitoring, and educating the public about the risks and transmission routes.
It also recommended administering the Mpox vaccine to high-risk populations and implementing hand hygiene and infection prevention measures in healthcare settings.
By Abyemwense Mol, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
