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Lately, concerns have continued to mount globally over the outbreak of the Mpox virus, which the World Health Organisation declared a public health emergency on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, two days earlier, the African Centre for Disease Control announced that it had also become a public health emergency.
On Friday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 39 cases had already been recorded in the country and issued a health advisory to help halt further spread. The NCDC also notified all public and private hospitals about the Mpox alert and sent out a list of referral isolation/treatment centres across the six geopolitical zones.
Since December 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been battling an epidemic of Mpox, with 524 deaths and over 14,000 cases reported in 2024. On Thursday, the WHO raised concerns about an incursion of the disease into Europe, warning that further imported cases of the new, more dangerous strain into Europe were likely after Sweden announced the first such infection outside Africa. The UN health agency expressed grave concern over the rise in cases and fatalities and the spread to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
What is Mpox?
Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, is an infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It affects both humans and animals and belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, though it generally presents with milder symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. Severe cases can lead to lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.
Strains of the Mpox Virus
There are two known strains of the Mpox virus: Clade I and Clade II.
Clade II: This strain caused the outbreak in 2022 and is less deadly, with a 99 per cent survival rate.
Clade I: This strain is more severe and can be fatal for about one in ten infected individuals. It is responsible for the recent outbreak in the DRC.
According to experts, Clade I is more virulent, with more severe symptoms and higher fatality rates. They noted that the virus is typically spread through physical contact, though recent outbreaks in the DRC have seen transmission through sexual contact. New cases of Mpox have been reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, all linked to the ongoing epidemic in Congo. Expressing concern, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to halt the spread.
In the latest outbreak, children under 15 accounted for over 70 per cent of reported cases and 85 per cent of deaths in Congo.
Mode of transmission and symptoms
Mpox is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals. The WHO reported a case of sexual transmission of Clade I in September 2023, and more have been reported since then. Symptoms include rashes, flu-like symptoms, and pus-filled lesions. While most cases are mild, the disease can be dangerous for children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Unlike previous outbreaks, where symptoms and lesions were visible on the chest, hands, and feet, the new variant features milder symptoms and genital lesions, making it harder to detect.
Nigeria has already put measures in place to prevent further spread, including a health declaration form for incoming passengers.
Meanwhile, Dr Oladipo Kolawole, a Medical Virologist and Immunologist at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, advised adopting the following precautionary tips to avoid contracting Mpox:
1.Avoid having close contact with infected people or animals.
- Practice good hygiene and ensure a clean environment.
- Get vaccinated with Mpox vaccines.
- Inform healthcare providers if you notice symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.
- Get the latest information from authorized government agencies only.
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