The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the spread of Mpox to 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory across 63 local government areas.
This is according to the NCDC’s latest situation report, covering the period from January 1 to October 6, 2024.
The report highlights that a total of 94 confirmed cases have been identified out of 1,297 suspected cases within the period. “Twenty-five states and the FCT have recorded at least one confirmed case across 63 LGAs in 2024,” the report states.
During Epidemiology Week 40, a total of 47 new suspected cases were recorded, a decrease from the 67 cases reported in Week 39. However, six confirmed cases were reported in Week 40, compared to 10 in the previous week.
The report also noted that Week 39 had a backlog of 13 reported cases, with four confirmed.
Since Mpox was first identified in Nigeria in September 2017, 5,114 suspected cases have been reported from 36 states and the FCT, with 1,180 confirmed cases (23.1%) and 17 deaths. The majority of those affected have been male, representing approximately 70% of cases.
The NCDC confirmed that the National Mpox Emergency Operation Centre, comprising multiple sectors and partners, is continuing to coordinate the national response.
Confirmed cases have been recorded across various states, with Cross River (11), Lagos (10), Plateau (8), and Enugu (8) topping the list. Other states include Akwa Ibom (8), Delta (6), Bayelsa (6), the FCT (5), Imo (4), Benue (4), Rivers (3), Abia (3), and several others reporting fewer cases.
Regarding suspected cases, Ogun State leads with 222 cases, followed by Lagos with 153, Bayelsa with 125, and Cross River with 84.
The age distribution of confirmed cases in 2024 shows that individuals aged 21-30 are most affected, accounting for 25 cases, followed by those aged 0-10 with 24 cases, while the 31-40 and 11-20 age groups recorded 14 and 15 cases, respectively.
