About 1,031 suspected cases of Mpox have been reported in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 67 confirmed cases across 23 states and the FCT.

A breakdown of confirmed cases according to states shows that Akwa-Ibom has eight, Enugu (eight), Bayelsa (six), Cross River (five), Benue (four), Delta (four), Plateau (four), FCT (three), Imo (three), Lagos (three), Anambra (two), Abia (two), Osun (two), Ogun (two), and Rivers (two).

Others are Kaduna (one), Gombe (one), Edo (one), Niger (one), Ebonyi (one), Nasarawa (one), Kebbi (one), and Oyo (one).

Briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, said that Mpox cases have been reported in all the states of the federation except Borno.

He added that the center is investigating the situation.

He said the agency is using enhanced surveillance to ensure there is no importation of the virus, adding that Mpox cases in Nigeria are of the Clade 2B type, which is less serious. However, he warned that neighboring Cameroon has the Clade 1B type, which is very serious and can spread faster.

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Idris noted that the NCDC has enhanced cross-border surveillance, intensified surveillance among special groups, and is sustaining the provision of medical countermeasures for response.

He noted that the NCDC is expanding its molecular laboratories and working to ensure at least two labs are optimized in each geopolitical zone.

He said, “We are working with the port health authority to prevent the importation of Clade I of Mpox into the country. The port health authority is also working with border states to ensure prevention of Clade 1 into the country. We have laboratories across the country, but not all of them have the same capabilities to test for Mpox. So, we are optimizing our laboratories to detect it, so we don’t have to carry samples across states. We are also involved in awareness creation.”

Idris stated that to prevent the spread of Mpox, people should avoid contact with animals that may carry the virus, including sick or dead animals in affected areas; limit unnecessary physical contact with infected individuals; practice frequent handwashing with soap and water; ensure that animal food products are thoroughly cooked before eating; and use protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals or their tissues.

He urged healthcare workers to follow standard safety protocols, including droplet precautions when treating patients, use protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and gowns during patient care, and promptly isolate suspected cases and report them to relevant health authorities.

On cholera, the NCDC noted that it recorded 141 suspected cases and one death in week 36, with a case fatality rate of 0.7%.

The center stated that these cases were reported in Katsina, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, and Adamawa states across 19 LGAs.

NCDC observed that 89 per cent of all suspected cases were reported from ten states, including Lagos (58%), Bayelsa (7%), Katsina (6%), Jigawa (5%), Zamfara (3%), Ebonyi (3%), Rivers (2%), Abia (2%), Ogun (2%), and Imo (1%).

Fifteen LGAs account for 57% of all cases, with Lagos Island LGA contributing the highest, at 8%.

NCDC pointed out that there was a 55% reduction in the number of cases compared to week 35.

“Cumulatively, from week 1 to 36, 2024, 216 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2.8% from 7,663 suspected cases. In total for 2024, 35 states and the FCT have recorded at least one suspected case across 280 local government areas,” it added.

Idris warned of possible disease outbreaks and infections following the recent flooding in Borno state.

According to him, NCDC has conducted a risk assessment of the ongoing flooding in Borno, conducted a cholera risk assessment for early warning signals across states, and distributed cholera supplies.

For diphtheria, the report for Epi-week 35, 2024, showed that 12,085 suspected cases were recorded in 21 states across 170 LGAs, with 7,784 confirmed cases.

A public health physician and founder of the MakeOurHospitalWork Campaign, Dr. Laz Eze, said diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection of the nose and throat. It is specifically caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can be prevented through vaccination.

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He noted that children under five years who are not immunized and adults above 60 years of age are most likely to be affected.

Eze observed that the government, especially at the state level, should ensure that all children are fully immunized. All barriers to childhood routine immunization should be removed. The current outbreak can be controlled through effective health promotion in communities.

He stated that Nigerians should adopt appropriate health-seeking behaviors.

He said, “All pregnant women should attend antenatal clinics and deliver their children in a health facility. All children should be fully immunized.”

Eze explained that people who are ill should avoid self-medication and seek quality care from trained healthcare providers.