CurrentReport Blog The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases of monkeypox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as of Thursday, with no reported deaths. This announcement was made by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, during a press briefing regarding the recent declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern.
Dr. Idris highlighted the NCDC’s increased surveillance efforts across the nation, aimed at swiftly detecting and responding to any new cases of monkeypox. In addition to the nationwide surveillance, port health services at Nigeria’s five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land and foot crossing borders are on high alert to prevent further spread of the virus.
The NCDC has also heightened alertness in specific states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the FCT, Abuja. These areas have been identified as high-risk zones requiring additional monitoring and preparedness.
This development comes in the wake of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of the ongoing monkeypox outbreak as a global public health emergency. The WHO’s decision, announced by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was driven by the alarming rise in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the spread to neighboring countries.
The WHO has committed to coordinating a global response to the outbreak, focusing on preventing transmission, treating those infected, and saving lives. The surge in monkeypox cases in the DRC, where the virus was first identified in humans in 1970, has seen over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported so far this year, surpassing last year’s total figures.
As Nigeria continues to navigate this public health challenge, the NCDC remains vigilant in its efforts to protect the population and prevent further escalation of the outbreak.
Key Points:
- 39 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Nigeria across 33 states and the FCT.
- No reported deaths in the current outbreak.
- NCDC enhances nationwide surveillance and alerts in high-risk states.
- WHO declares monkeypox a global public health emergency amid rising cases in the DRC.
- The international response is being coordinated to prevent transmission and save lives.
