Nigeria records 39 Mpox cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 39 mpox (monkeypox) cases and zero deaths have been recorded in the country this year.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” after a surge in cases recorded in Africa.

Mpox is endemic in Nigeria and many countries in Central and West Africa.

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Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Jide Idris, NCDC director-general (DG), said the cases were recorded across 33 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

He said Bayelsa (16), Cross River (5), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) have recorded the highest cases of mpox. “The national mpox technical working group (TWG), a multi-sectoral body housed within the NCDC, continues to coordinate mpox response activities,” he said.

“As part of the government’s ongoing efforts, we are intensifying surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases.