An mpox treatment centre at a hospital near the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma
IBTimes NG

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 55 cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) in the country, out of 935 suspected cases across 39 local government areas in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The agency shared Tuesday that 70% of the confirmed cases were males. Despite many confirmed and suspected cases, no deaths have been recorded in 2024.

"Additionally, eight cases were recorded in ages 31-40, seven cases in ages 41-50, and one case in an individual aged 50 and above," the agency said, Premium Times reported.

According to the agency, the confirmed Mpox cases were recorded from several states -- Enugu had eight cases, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom each had six, Cross River had five, and Delta, Benue and Plateau each had three.

Meanwhile, Osun, Imo, FCT, Anambra, Rivers, and Abia each had two cases. Lagos, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Edo, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Oyo, Kaduna and Niger each had one case.

The NCDC also shared that since September 2017, there have been 4,752 suspected cases reported from 36 states and the FCT. Out of these, 1,141 cases (24%) were confirmed from 35 states and the FCT, with 17 deaths.

The agency said that the National Mpox Emergency Operation Centre, which involved multiple sectors and partners, was still coordinating the response efforts across the country.

Mpox spreads via close contact with infected humans or animals, as well as via materials such as contaminated sheets. Common symptoms of Mpox include a rash that can last two to four weeks, along with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen glands.

The rash often looks like blisters or sores, and can appear on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and groin, among other areas.

Last month, the World Health Organization declared Mpox a global health emergency. On Aug. 13, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention also declared Mpox a serious public health threat for the continent.

Although DR Congo is the main center of the outbreak, Mpox cases have been reported in at least 13 African countries. Guinea recently confirmed its first case. The virus has also been found in Pakistan, the Philippines, Sweden, and Thailand.