The Federal Government of Nigeria has ramped up monitoring and screening procedures at all entry points in response to the ongoing monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency by the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC). The move, aimed at preventing the spread of the disease within the country, was announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, in a statement released on Thursday.

This heightened vigilance comes as the Mpox outbreak has swept through several African nations, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being particularly hard-hit. A new viral strain, Clade 1b, which emerged in September 2023, has now been detected outside the DRC, raising significant concern among health authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that this strain, which appears to be spreading primarily through sexual networks, has the potential to exacerbate the outbreak further, especially as it reaches neighboring countries.

As of 2024, Africa has reported 2,863 confirmed Mpox cases and 517 deaths across 13 countries. In Nigeria alone, there have been 39 confirmed cases, though no fatalities have been recorded. The government’s intensified response includes enhanced screening protocols at airports, seaports, and land borders, alongside the activation of infectious disease centers in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Prof. Pate highlighted that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Nigeria Ports Health Services have been proactive in fortifying the country’s defenses against the virus. Measures similar to those employed during the COVID-19 pandemic are being deployed to mitigate the impact of the Mpox outbreak. These include the implementation of an online health declaration form, which all travelers must complete before entering Nigeria.

Mpox, a rare viral zoonotic disease endemic to several African countries, is primarily transmitted from animals to humans through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or lesions of infected animals, such as monkeys, squirrels, and rodents. Human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact with an infected person or contaminated materials like clothing or bedding. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that typically begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

In light of the outbreak, the public has been advised to maintain good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after contact with potentially infected individuals or animals.

The Nigerian government’s swift action underscores the seriousness of the situation and its commitment to protecting public health amid the growing Mpox threat across the continent.