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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC said it has confirmed 39 mpox cases have been confirmed across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with no reported deaths.
The NCDC's Director General, Jide Idris, revealed this during a press briefing, underlining the agency's commitment to intensifying surveillance nationwide, which should reassure the public of the proactive measures being taken.
"With the recent rise in mpox cases, our primary focus is to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases," Idris stated.
He highlighted that all port health services across Nigeria's five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land borders are on high alert.
Specific states, including Lagos, Enugu, and Kano, have also been placed under increased surveillance.
World Health Organisation's declaration on mpox outbreak
This action comes on the heels of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the severity of the situation, saying, "This is something that should concern us all. WHO is committed to coordinating the global response to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives."
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has significantly impacted the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus was first discovered in humans in 1970.
The WHO's decision to declare the surge a global emergency underscores the need for heightened vigilance, especially as Nigeria faces increasing cases.