The Federal Government has ramped up monitoring and screening at all entry points into Nigeria in response to the ongoing Monkeypox outbreak.
This announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, in a statement issued on Thursday, which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and External Relations, Tashikalmah Hallah.
As of Thursday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 39 confirmed cases of mpox, with no fatalities, across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the start of 2024.
Prof. Pate highlighted the government's intensified efforts, stating that the NCDC and the Nigeria Ports Health Services, under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, are actively reinforcing Nigeria’s defenses against mpox, particularly the Clade 1 variant, prior to its classification as a public health emergency.
He noted that the Clade 1 strain has resulted in a mortality rate of up to 10% in previous outbreaks, and the government aims to mitigate its impact by implementing measures akin to those employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new requirement has been introduced mandating all travelers to complete an online health declaration form before entering Nigeria.
Prof. Pate also urged the public to maintain good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after contact with infected individuals or animals.
