The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded a decline in suspected and confirmed cases of Mpox across the country within the last four weeks. This marks a good shift from the 102 cases reported within the previous four weeks, with just 51 new suspected cases recorded between Epidemiological (Epi) weeks 29 to 32 of 2024. Mpox, commonly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease in both humans and animals. The infection brings about a rise in temperature, followed by an irritation that will later form blisters.
Then, there are swollen lymph nodes and a general feeling of weakness. The illness is usually mild and will heal within several weeks with no medical intervention. However, it could be serious in the case of immune-compromised people. The new cases, the latest data from NCDC showed, were recorded across 26 LGAs in 18 states, with two out of the suspected cases returning as positive—one each in Ebonyi and Enugu states. This represents a decline compared to the seven confirmed cases reported during the earlier four-week period, Epi Week 25 to 28.
Preventive measures are to be taken against the viral disease.
Since Mpox re-emerged in Nigeria in September 2017, a total of 4,603 suspected cases have been reported, out of which 1,125 (24.4 percent) were confirmed across thirty-five states and the FCT. The diseases mostly affected men, who accounted for about 70% of confirmed cases. There have been a total of 17 deaths so far from 2017, although the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was calculated based on confirmed cases. The NCDC has encouraged the public not to be complacent with the recent decline in cases. Calls for adherence to preventive measures, especially avoiding close contact with those showing symptoms, good hand hygiene practices, and use of protective gear while caring for suspected or confirmed Mpox cases.
It also cautioned against contact with animals that may harbor the virus, which include rodents and primates, and emphasized a proper cooking of the meat before consumption. It calls for vigilance among healthcare workers for all patients with features compatible with Mpox, especially those with a history of recent travel from affected countries or who have had direct contact with a person who is a suspected case. NCDC has advised that suspected cases be isolated immediately upon recognition, and Healthcare workers are advised to promptly notify Public Health authorities once a suspected case is identified so as to prevent in-hospital transmission.
Global concern as cases are confirmed on all continents.
Also, the NCDC highlighted the activities of the National Mpox Technical Working Group, which continues to be a multisectoral, multi-partner team that keeps close tabs on the outbreak while coming up with mitigation measures. This is an important coordination of responses to the Mpox outbreak across Nigeria, guiding and supporting affected states. While the reduction in cases is an encouraging development, NCDC insists that there is a need for the public to continue observing public health guidelines towards checking the spread of Mpox in states where it is still a challenge. The call for continued vigilance by the agency is very important in ensuring that the present downward trend of these cases is sustained and the spread of the virus is effectively contained.
Cases are still a global concern, with outbreaks occurring in virtually all continents. As of August 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued to be the hub, accounting for 96% of all cases in Africa. A new strain called clade 1 has been discovered in East Africa and is spreading to countries such as Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda, which have not previously recorded any cases. The infection has also spread to Europe, where there is a confirmed case in Sweden. Globally, the outbreak has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a public health emergency of international concern, warning that there is an ordered international reaction required to deal with the outbreak.
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Besides the DRC, cases of various strains have been reported on different occasions in the United States, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Isolated cases of this disease have cropped up in single patients in the United States, most of which were acquired abroad. The U.S. has already recorded almost 1,400 cases this year. Although case numbers are increasing, the existing risk to most people in many locations, including the U.S., is low. Even so, efforts are still on course to further enhance surveillance, vaccination, and public health communications with extra actions in areas with cases. The WHO and other global health entities are racing against time to ensure that all countries, in particular those with weak health infrastructure, get support in containing the virus.