Nigeria Ramps Up Surveillance at Entry Points to Combat Monkeypox Outbreak

By Onoja Baba, Abuja, Nigeria

Nigeria has escalated its surveillance and monitoring efforts at all entry points in response to the growing threat of Monkeypox (Mpox) Clade 1.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the intensified measures during a press briefing on Thursday, August 14, 2024, as revealed in a statement made available by the Special Adviser on Media and External Relations for the coordinating minister, Tashikalmah Hallah.

Monkeypox, caused by the highly contagious and deadly Monkeypox virus, has been wreaking havoc across several regions in Africa. This situation prompted the World Health Organization to declare it a Global Health Emergency, calling for urgent and coordinated international action to contain its spread and mitigate its impact.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigeria Ports Health Services, operating under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, have been proactive in strengthening Nigeria’s defenses even before the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared Mpox a public health emergency. “This Mpox Clade 1 strain has caused fatalities in up to 10% of individuals who have fallen ill in previous outbreaks,” Pate explained, adding that the objective is to deploy measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the new initiatives is a mandate requiring all travelers to complete an online health declaration form before departing for Nigeria. Additionally, infectious disease centers have been activated in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Professor Pate also urged the public to practice good hygiene, emphasizing the importance of frequent hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with an infected person or animal.

“MPOX is transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact, and talking or breathing close to another person. It causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions and can be fatal, with 4 in 100 cases leading to death,” he warned.

The Minister highlighted “that vaccines can prevent and control Mpox outbreaks, although they are typically available only for people at risk or those in close contact with an infected person”.