The Nigerian government has taken decisive action to combat the spread of Mpox, a rapidly spreading disease, by directing states to establish emergency preparedness and response teams, capabilities, and action plans with the support of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This move comes as the number of confirmed cases has risen to 40 out of 830 suspected cases recorded so far.

The United States government has also pledged to send doses of Mpox vaccines to Nigeria to help contain the outbreak. The Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, emphasized the need for enhanced laboratory services, increased public awareness, and targeted interventions in affected states.

Dr. Idris highlighted the challenges of reporting confirmed cases due to stigma associated with the disease and announced plans to intensify active surveillance, beef up laboratory capabilities, and increase public enlightenment. The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, acknowledged the high demand for Mpox vaccines but noted that the current manufacturer’s capacity cannot meet global demand.

He urged Nigeria to increase its laboratory capacity to boost case detection and emphasized the need for vigilance, as the country is considered moderate-risk. The WHO representative also stressed that no country is safe until all countries are safe, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in combating the outbreak.

The NCDC has already met with state governors and health commissioners to discuss the establishment of emergency preparedness and response teams. The agency plans to target states with high numbers of cases, reduce transmission through active surveillance, and increase laboratory capabilities, especially in the south-south and southeast regions.

The public awareness drive aims to educate people on the risks of Mpox transmission, which can occur through contact with infected animals or humans, as well as through sexual transmission and airborne routes. The NCDC has identified laboratories with the capacity to test for Mpox and plans to enhance their capabilities through training and provision of necessary reagents and consumables.

The agency has also acknowledged the challenges of stigma associated with the disease, which may lead to underreporting of cases. To address this, the NCDC plans to send teams to states to actively search for cases and intensify public awareness efforts.