Statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) have revealed a rise in Mpox infections among males in the country.
According to data published on the NCDC’s website on Monday, 67 percent of Mpox cases recorded since January 2024 have been in males.
The NCDC stated, “Men are predominantly affected, accounting for approximately 70 percent of the 6,001 suspected and confirmed Mpox cases recorded in Nigeria since September 2017, when the first confirmed cases were identified.”
The report indicated that, so far in 2024, a total of 1,031 suspected Mpox cases have been recorded across 47 local government areas in 23 states, including the Federal Capital Territory. Out of these, 67 cases have been confirmed this year.
The age and sex distribution data showed that children under five years old have been the most affected group, followed by individuals aged 26-30 and 46-50. Out of the 64 confirmed cases in 2024, 15 involved children under the age of five.
While the NCDC confirmed no fatalities from Mpox in 2024, the report highlighted that there were two and seven deaths from the disease in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Mpox, an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, typically presents with symptoms like a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Although most people recover fully, some may experience severe illness.
The virus can spread from animals to humans, as well as between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared Mpox a global public health emergency, as reported by PUNCH Online.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter of the outbreak in Africa, Mpox cases have been reported in at least 14 African countries.
To curb the spread of Mpox, the WHO approved the MVA-BN vaccine last Friday, making it the first Mpox vaccine to be added to the organization’s prequalification list.
Nigeria has also received a donation of 10,000 doses of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine from the United States government to aid in controlling the outbreak.
