The Nigerian Government has intensified monitoring and screening procedures at all entry points into the country in response to the Monkeypox outbreak, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, has said.
Prof Pate said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, had reported 39 confirmed cases of mpox but no death across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja from the beginning of this year.
He stated that Nigeria has intensified monitoring and screening procedures at all entry points in response to the threat of Mpox, Clade 1.
According to the statement, the NCDC and the Nigeria Ports Health Services, under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, have been taking steps to fortify Nigeria’s defences before the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency.
“This Mpox Clade 1 strain has caused fatalities in up to 10 per cent of individuals who have fallen ill in previous outbreaks,” he said, adding that the aim is to tackle and mitigate its impact by deploying measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that the Nigerian government has implemented a new mandate requiring all travellers to complete an online health declaration before departing for Nigeria.
“This measure is being introduced alongside the activation of infectious disease centres in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja,” he added.
He advised the public to practice good hygiene, frequent hand washing with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with an infected person or animal.
Meanwhile, the Africa Centre for Disease Control had on Tuesday declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent.
GIK/APA