The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global Public Health emergency due to the Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak in Africa. As a result, Nigerian health authorities are highly alert. In order to stop the virus from spreading further across African nations, particularly Nigeria, a concerted international response is sparked by the WHO’s announcement. 39 Mpox cases have been confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in 33 states, with Lagos among the afflicted states.
NCDC has increased coordination and surveillance measures to stop the spread of the disease. The concerning data from Africa is also emphasized; according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC), there were 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths in 13 countries this year. Mpox spreads by intimate contact, sexual activity, and eating infected animals. Symptoms include a severe rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Bad planning has made the situation worse, with comparisons to other outbreaks such as COVID-19 and Ebola.
WHO emphasized public education on preventative measures.
In addition to issuing declaration forms to arriving travellers from areas where Mpox outbreaks have recently occurred, the NCDC has increased the warning level for a number of international airports, seaports, and land borders. Public Education on preventative measures is emphasized by the WHO and local health authorities, along with the necessity of vaccination, especially for high-risk groups. There are worries over Nigeria’s capacity to manage the issue given that the nation has not yet obtained any Mpox vaccinations, despite the severity of the outbreak.
Vaccination efforts have been aggressively ramped up in Europe and North America, with a focus on high-risk populations like healthcare workers, men who have sex with males, and individuals with weakened immune systems. For instance, the JYNNEOS vaccine—which is licensed for both smallpox and Mpox—has been administered in the United States in excess of a million doses, with priority going to individuals residing in large cities where outbreaks are occurring. Comparably, the European Union has synchronized the distribution of Vaccines among its member states, guaranteeing that nations with a higher incidence rate receive a greater quantity of doses.
Contact tracing and isolation are two effective public health methods.
Furthermore, in order to control Mpox, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the previous head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), stressed the significance of early detection and immunization. “Immediate vaccination of at-risk populations and prompt isolation and treatment of infected individuals are critical to controlling the spread,” he said. The World Health Organization has also recommended that nations adopt ring vaccination programs, in which close relatives of confirmed cases receive vaccinations to stop the spread of the disease. The UK’s approach to contact tracing and isolation are two specific public health methods that have proven effective in other places.
A comprehensive mechanism has been put in place by the UK Health Security Agency, wherein those who test positive for Mpox are quickly quarantined and their close contacts are located and made available for vaccinations. Furthermore, Spain has concentrated on launching extensive public awareness programs to inform people about the transmission of Mpox and the significance of obtaining medical care if symptoms appear. These initiatives have assisted in lowering stigma and promoting early diagnosis and treatment, especially when combined with active community involvement. Adapting these techniques in Nigeria could entail enhancing the nation’s current Infrastructure for disease surveillance and enhancing cooperation between federal and state health organizations.
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Campaigns for public awareness might be customized to the specific needs of the area, making use of faith-based institutions and local authorities to efficiently spread knowledge. To acquire vaccinations and medications, the Nigerian government should go into joint ventures with foreign governments and health groups. At the moment, Nigeria has not received any doses of the Mpox vaccine, making it difficult to obtain in the nation. A firm date for vaccine availability has not been announced, although it is purported that the government is in talks with foreign partners and vaccine producers to guarantee a supply. Nigeria stands to gain from the global effort being undertaken by the WHO to make vaccinations more accessible to countries who are experiencing a scarcity.