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Mpox Outbreak Spreads to 63 LGAs, Cross River, Lagos Worst Hit

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Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak of Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as the virus spreads across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), affecting 63 local government areas (LGAs). The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed this alarming trend in its latest situation report covering January 1 to October 6, 2024.

The report highlights the increasing spread of the disease, with 94 confirmed cases recorded out of a total of 1,297 suspected cases reported within the same period. The states leading in confirmed cases are Cross River, with 11 cases, and Lagos, with 10 cases.

Mpox, a viral disease that has been a public health concern in Nigeria since it first resurfaced in 2017, continues to spread across the country in 2024. According to the NCDC’s report, 25 states and the FCT have reported at least one confirmed case of the virus. This has raised concerns about the increasing number of affected areas and the potential for further spread if not effectively contained.

The NCDC noted a slight decrease in the number of confirmed cases during Epidemiology Week 40, when compared to the previous week. In Week 40, 47 new suspected cases were reported, with six confirmed cases. This was a drop from Week 39, which had 67 suspected cases and 10 confirmed cases.

The report shows that Mpox cases have been confirmed across multiple regions in Nigeria. Cross River tops the list with 11 confirmed cases, followed by Lagos with 10, Plateau and Enugu each with eight, and Akwa Ibom and Delta, also with eight and six cases, respectively. Other states that have recorded confirmed cases include Bayelsa, FCT, Imo, Benue, Rivers, and several others.

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Despite the significant presence of the virus in these areas, it is worth noting that the spread has not been uniform across the country. For instance, states like Zamfara, Oyo, Niger, and Adamawa have reported only one confirmed case each.

Ogun State leads the country in suspected Mpox cases, with a staggering 222 suspected cases reported so far in 2024. Lagos follows closely behind with 153 suspected cases. Other states with a high number of suspected cases include Bayelsa (125), Cross River (84), Akwa Ibom (65), and Ekiti (63).

The NCDC has expressed concerns over the large number of suspected cases, particularly in states with high populations and active urban centers like Lagos and Ogun, which may be more prone to widespread transmission due to population density.

Mpox is caused by the Mpox virus, which is part of the same family as the smallpox virus. Although it is less severe than smallpox, Mpox can still cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable populations. Symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a distinctive rash that often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.

The virus is primarily transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated by the virus. This includes skin-to-skin contact, respiratory droplets, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Given the way Mpox is transmitted, outbreaks tend to spread rapidly in settings where close contact is common, making effective containment measures critical.

The NCDC’s report also provided an age distribution of confirmed cases. It revealed that children and young adults have been significantly affected by the outbreak. A total of 24 confirmed cases have been recorded in individuals aged 0-10, while 15 cases were reported in the 11-20 age group. The 21-30 age group saw the highest number of confirmed cases, with 25 reported. This pattern suggests that younger populations are among the most vulnerable during this outbreak.

Although older individuals are also affected, the number of confirmed cases decreases with age. Four cases were recorded in those aged 50 and above, highlighting that while Mpox can affect all age groups, younger individuals seem to be at higher risk of infection.

In response to the ongoing outbreak, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral and multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the country’s response. This effort includes public health surveillance, risk communication, and coordination with health agencies at the state and federal levels.

The NCDC has called for increased vigilance and urged state governments, healthcare workers, and communities to follow proper hygiene protocols, avoid contact with suspected cases, and promptly report any signs or symptoms of Mpox. The agency is working closely with international partners to ensure that testing and diagnosis capacities are improved and that affected areas receive the necessary support to manage and contain the outbreak.

“The public health response requires collaborative efforts from all sectors to ensure we can effectively track and manage this outbreak,” an NCDC spokesperson said. “We are urging everyone to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of Mpox.”

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While Mpox is not as deadly as smallpox, it remains a significant public health threat, especially in Nigeria, where access to healthcare and resources can vary widely. Public health experts have emphasized the need for increased vaccination efforts, particularly in states that have seen a spike in both suspected and confirmed cases.

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