Tue Sep 10 14:36:55 UTC 2024: ## Monkeypox Cases Rise in Nigeria: NCDC Confirms 55 Cases, No Deaths Reported
**Abuja, Nigeria** – The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 55 cases of monkeypox, also known as Mpox, in the country. This brings the total number of confirmed cases since 2017 to 1,141, with 17 deaths reported during that period.
The NCDC reported that these cases were confirmed from a total of 935 suspected cases across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While the outbreak began in September 2017, the current surge has been observed since earlier this year.
The health agency emphasized that no deaths have been reported in 2023, offering reassurance to the Nigerian public.
The NCDC revealed that the majority of confirmed cases (70%) were in males, with the age distribution showing a significant number of cases among children and young adults.
The NCDC is actively coordinating the response to the outbreak through the National Mpox multi-sectoral and multi-partner Emergency Operation Centre. The agency also stressed the importance of public health measures like hygiene, vaccination, and early detection for controlling the spread of the disease.
While Nigeria continues to battle the virus, the WHO has declared monkeypox a global public health emergency. The outbreak has spread to other African countries, as well as regions outside the continent, including Pakistan, the Philippines, Sweden, and Thailand.
The WHO has approved the procurement of vaccines to combat the disease, despite the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) decision being pending.
First Piper 