The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 39 cases of mpox across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with no recorded deaths. This was disclosed by NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, during a press briefing on Thursday following the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.

Idris stated that the NCDC has heightened surveillance nationwide to rapidly detect and respond to any new cases. He also mentioned that all port health services across the country’s five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land and foot border crossings are on high alert. Additionally, several states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have been placed on heightened alert.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the surge in mpox cases across Africa a global public health emergency, citing concerns over the increase in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the spread to neighbouring countries. WHO convened a meeting of experts to assess the outbreak and provide recommendations to the UN health agency’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Tedros announced, “Today, the emergency committee advised me that the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and I have accepted that advice. This is a matter that should concern us all. WHO is committed to coordinating a global response in the days and weeks ahead, working closely with the affected countries to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.”

The WHO’s decision follows the African Union’s health body declaration of a public health emergency in response to the growing outbreak. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has significantly impacted the DRC, where the virus was first identified in humans in 1970, and has since spread to other countries. Dr Tedros highlighted that the 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported in the DRC this year have already surpassed last year’s total.