At a news briefing in Abuja, NCDC Director General Dr. Jide Idris revealed these findings. As of August 11, 2024, the nation has reported 5,951 suspected cases of cholera nationwide, with 176 deaths reported across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Due of the expanding Mpox outbreak across the continent, the Africa Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday declared a public health emergency.
Many African nations have been affected by the outbreak, most notably the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there is a severe and spreading outbreak that has now spread outside the nation.
First identified in September 2023, a novel strain of virus has now been found outside of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thus far, in 2024 alone, there have been reports of around 2,863 confirmed cases of mpox and 517 deaths among 13 African countries.
Since the start of 2024, 39 confirmed cases and 0 deaths have been reported in Nigeria throughout 33 States and the Federal Capital Territory. The leading states are Bayelsa (five), Cross River (five), Ogun (four), Lagos (four), Ondo (three), and Ebonyi (three).
“This press conference is part of the effort to intensify our coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent disease importation, given the significant concern regarding the ease of cross-border transmission,” Idris stated.
Mpox is an uncommon infectious disease caused by a virus that is spread from animal to human, or zoonotic disease. It is endemic in several African nations, notably the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. Although it is still unclear where the virus originated, rats, squirrels, and monkeys are thought to be involved in its spread.
Both humans and animals can contract the Mpox virus from one another. Direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, skin, or mucosal lesions of infected animals (such as monkeys, squirrels, and rodents) can result in animal-to-human transmission.
This can occur via biting, scratching, handling, or consuming undercooked or other contaminated bushmeat products. Human-to-human (or person-to-person) transmission happens when a person comes into touch with the virus through bedding or clothing that has been contaminated with the virus.
Fever, headache, aches in the body, weakness, swollen lymph nodes (glands), and rash are some of the symptoms of the sickness. Following one to three days of fever, the rash appears, mostly affecting the face and palms/soles before spreading to other parts of the body. Contact during intercourse is an additional means of transmission because they can also happen in and around the genitalia.
The Director of the NCDC said that Mpox response actions are still being coordinated by the National Mpox Technical Working Group, a multi-sectoral organization based inside the NCDC.
“We have increased surveillance throughout Nigeria as part of the government’s continued efforts to quickly identify and address any new cases. This places 51 land/foot crossing borders, 10 seaports, and all five international airports’ port health services on high alert. These areas are currently receiving diagnostic protocols in accordance with the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, and port health officers are keeping a close eye out for any suspected cases.
“A number of states, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba, have also been placed on high alert.” In order to stop the spread, we are also tracking down contacts and keeping an eye out for verified cases. Travelers who have visited any of the nations where an active mpox outbreak has occurred in the previous 90 days would now also need to declare this, he added.
According to him, the agency is thinking about immunizing high-risk populations because 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine are expected to be sent to Nigeria.
In his cholera update, he noted that as of August 11, 2024, 36 States, the Federal Capital Territory, and 152 Local Government Units had reported 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths, with a 3.0 percent case fatality rate. The data indicates a persistent rise in the quantity of instances reported throughout the nation. Children under the age of five are currently the most impacted age group.
It is expected that there may be oscillations in the suspected cholera case trend, which could last until Epidemic Week 37. This forecast aligns with the trends shown in Nigerian cholera outbreaks between 2020 and 2024. The number of instances may rise, according to the current rainfall estimates.
High rates of open defecation, which cause fecal matter to discharge and contaminate water sources, are among the contributing factors to the pandemic. To properly handle and reduce the outbreak, we will improve both prevention tactics and case management techniques in response.
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