The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced a notable decline in suspected and confirmed Mpox (Monkeypox) cases over the past month. According to the NCDC's latest update, 51 new suspected cases were reported from Epidemiological Weeks 29 to 32 of 2024, a significant decrease from the 102 cases recorded in the previous four (4) weeks.
The report on the NCDC’s official website indicates that these cases were distributed across 26 local government areas (LGAs) in 18 states. The NCDC highlighted that Mpox had been confirmed in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year, affecting 30 LGAs. Since the resurgence of Mpox in Nigeria in September 2017, the country has reported a cumulative total of 4,603 suspected cases, with 1,125 confirmed cases and 17 deaths.
Meanwhile, the global situation is escalating. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mpox cases have surged dramatically, with the number of reported cases rising from 16,000 to 16,700 and deaths increasing from 548 to over 570 in just a few days. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba described the situation as a continental emergency, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the outbreak a global public health emergency.
The WHO has called for increased vaccination efforts and better case management. The United States and Japan have pledged to supply vaccines to the DRC, with Japan agreeing to provide 3.5 million doses specifically for children. The DRC plans to vaccinate up to four million people, including 3.5 million children.
In-depth case investigations, more cross-border cooperation, and assistance for Mpox sufferers are all stressed in the WHO's revised guidelines. The organization has also highlighted the emergence of a more deadly strain of the virus, Clade 1b, which has a higher fatality rate, particularly among children.
In light of the increasing number of Mpox cases in Africa—including in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, the international community is urged to strengthen vaccination programs and support affected countries.
