By Chinyere Okoroafor and David Adenuga, Bauchi
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 133 cases of monkeypox in 26 states.
The health agency made this known in its latest monkeypox situation report released on Thursday.
The NCDC said from January to July 24, 2022, three deaths, one each was recorded in three states, Delta, Lagos and Ondo.
The situation report also showed that there were at least 357 suspected cases of the disease in the country.
The report read in part, “There were 19 new suspected cases reported in Epi week 29, 2022 (July 18 to 24, 2022) from 12 states – Ondo (4), Bayelsa (3), Taraba (2), Lagos (2), Rivers (1), Kogi (1), Kano (1), Imo (1), Delta (1), Anambra (1), Akwa Ibom (1) and Abia (1).
“Of 19 suspected cases, there were 15 new confirmed positive cases in Epi week 29, 2022 from 10 states – Ondo (3), Taraba (2), Lagos (2), Bayelsa (2), Rivers (1), Kogi (1), Imo (1), Delta (1), Anambra (1) and Abia (1).
“From January 1 to July 24, 2022, there have now been 357 suspected cases and 133 confirmed cases (89 male, 44 female) from 26 states – Lagos (17), Adamawa (11), Delta (11), Rivers (10), Bayelsa (10), Ondo (9), Edo (8), Nasarawa (7), Plateau (6), FCT (5), Anambra (5), Taraba (5), Imo (4), Cross River (3), Kwara (3), Borno (3), Oyo (3), Kano (2), Katsina (2), Gombe (2), Kogi (2), Niger (1), Ogun (1), Bauchi (1), Akwa Ibom (1) and Abia (1).
“Three deaths were recorded from thre states – Delta (1), Lagos (1), and Ondo (1)
“Overall, since the re-emergence of monkeypox in September 2017 and to July 24, 2022, a total of 869 suspected cases have been reported from 35 states in the country.
“Of these 869 suspected cases, there have been 359 (41.3%) confirmed (237 male, 122 female) from 30 states – Rivers (62), Bayelsa (53), Lagos (47), Delta (40), Edo (18), Cross River (17), Imo (12), FCT (11), Adamawa (11), Ondo (9), Nasarawa (9), Oyo (9), Plateau (9), Akwa Ibom (8), Anambra (7), Taraba (5), Enugu (4), Abia (4), Kwara (3), Borno (3), Benue (2), Ekiti (2), Kano (2), Niger (2), Ogun (2), Katsina (2), Gombe (2) Kogi (2), Ebonyi (1), and Bauchi (1).
“In addition, from September 2017 to July 24, 2022, a total of 11 deaths have been recorded (CFR= 3.0%) in eight states – Lagos (3), Edo (2), Imo (1), Cross River (1), FCT (1), Rivers (1), Ondo (1) and Delta (1).”
The agency added that there are ongoing efforts to strengthen surveillance at national and subnational levels.
On 23rd July, 2022 the World Health Organization activated its highest alert level for the growing monkeypox outbreak, declaring the virus a public health emergency of international concern.
It said the outbreak which has affected nearly 16,000 people in 72 countries, is an extraordinary situation that qualifies as a global emergency.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA) has recorded its first case of monkeypox in the state.
Executive Chairman of the Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed confirmed the development while addressing Journalists on Friday.
According to him, one person has been diagnosed with the disease while 2 are still under close observation.
“The victim is not from Bauchi state, he came from Adamawa state, he is presently receiving medical management at one of the facilities. We will not allow him to go until we are satisfied with his condition” he said.
“Unlike Cholera where you have to wait for about 15 cases before you declare an outbreak, with just one confirmed case, you can’t declare an outbreak of monkeypox,” he added.
He, however, assured that his agency in collaboration with others concerned about healthcare delivery services is working round the clock to ensure that the disease did not spread beyond what it is at present.
“Our surveillance has been reinvigorated to ensure that suspected cases are immediately dealt with. Bauchi State is a gateway to the North-East sub region, we are therefore at alert to ensure that no suspected case of monkeypox goes unnoticed.”