From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases of monkeypox in Nigeria.
The breakdown showed that Bayelsa and Cross River have five cases each, Ogun and Lagos account for 4 cases each, while Ondo and Ebonyi have three cases each to lead the pack.
NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, that no death has been recorded so far from across the country.
He, however, confirmed that the NCDC has intensified coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent disease importation.
The Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) had, on Wednesday, declared monkeypox a public health emergency following a rise in confirmed cases across the continent.
Meanwhile, the NCDC boss said it has taken some measures to prevent the importation of the disease and also ensure adequate response to the disease. “As part of the government’s ongoing efforts, we have intensified surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to new cases.
“We have put all Port Health Service Officials across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert. Also, diagnostic protocols in line with the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) have been distributed to the locations, while officials are screening for suspected cases.
“Some states, notably, Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba, have also been put on red alert. We are also conducting contact tracing and monitoring for confirmed cases to prevent further spread. This will also include declaration by travellers who have been to any of the countries where there is an ongoing outbreak of monkeypox in the last 90 days.
“Additionally, we would continue to provide healthcare workers and the public with updated guidance on infection prevention and control measures and train surge staff as part of the preparedness and readiness for monkeypox public health events.”
He said the NCDC has notified public and private hospitals about the monkeypox, and had sent a list of referral isolation/treatment centres across the six geopolitical zones and reference laboratory networks which includes National Reference Lab (NRL), Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), Nigeria Institute of medical Research (NIMR), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), ACEGID, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
He further added that the government was making efforts to make vaccines available to Nigerians, especially the hotspot areas, considering the fact that the vaccine has shown to have a favourable safety profile. “We are expecting 10,000 doses of the Jynneos (monkeypox) vaccine. We might deploy the vaccine to high-risk groups.”
The NCDC, however, urged Nigerians to adhere to proven infection prevention and control measures, which are essential in limiting the transmission of the monkeypox virus.
“Avoid contact with animals that could harbour the virus, including sick or dead animals in areas where monkeypox has been confirmed; avoid contact with any material that has been in contact with a sick animal; avoid unnecessary physical contact with persons infected with monkeypox; isolate potentially infected animals from other animals; practise frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after caring for or visiting sick people; ensure all animal food products are properly cooked before eating; and use appropriate protective clothing and gloves while handling sick animals or their infected tissues and during slaughtering procedures,” NCDC suggested.
Similarly, health workers were advised to always follow standard safety measures when caring for patients; wash their hands with soap and water after contact with patients and/or their environment; maintain a high index of suspicion for monkeypox, especially for patients presenting with fever and vesicular/pustular rash in all parts of the country, among several other measures.