By Aaior K. Comfort

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a rise in Mpox cases, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 102 across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, up from 94 previously reported.

NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, emphasizing the growing threat of Mpox and the agency’s efforts to prevent its spread, especially given the risk of cross-border transmission from neighboring countries.

Dr. Idris stated, “We are dealing with the Clade IIB variant in Nigeria but monitoring the Clade IB strain circulating in countries like Kenya, Uganda, and the DRC, which poses a more severe threat.”

Since October 13th, 1,339 suspected cases have been recorded, with 102 confirmed cases but no deaths. The NCDC attributes the rise in numbers to improved surveillance and case detection.

In response, the agency is prioritizing vaccination campaigns, particularly in Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. The NCDC, in collaboration with other health agencies, is deploying 10,000 doses of the Mpox Jynneos vaccine, targeting high-risk groups such as confirmed case contacts and immunocompromised individuals.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral disease that can spread from animals to humans, as well as through human-to-human transmission.