Nigeria's confirmed monkeypox cases rises to 172 in 2022

The total number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Nigeria has significantly risen to 172 so far in 2022, as reported by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Data shows that there have been four deaths related to the virus from January to August this year. Dr. Chinwe Ochu, the Director of Prevention Programme and Knowledge Management at the NCDC, provided an update on the situation during a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Dr. Ochu highlighted the efforts being made to strengthen surveillance at both national and subnational levels to detect and respond promptly to cases. Measures include deploying community surveillance officers in hotspot areas, real-time reporting of cases using digital tools, and enhancing laboratory diagnostics for quick confirmation of outbreaks. Additionally, the NCDC has focused on community engagement and risk communication to educate the public on identifying symptoms and seeking timely medical attention. Research to better understand the disease and its implications is also ongoing in Nigeria. One of the key challenges discussed during the interview was the limited access to the smallpox vaccine, which has been used in North America and Europe to combat monkeypox. The vaccine, known as Genius, is currently in short supply and has not been shared with African countries, where the virus is endemic. Dr. Ochu emphasized the importance of global collaboration in ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures and addressing public health inequities. While efforts are being made to secure vaccines through partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and the Africa Center for Disease Control, more attention is needed to prevent future pandemics. The conversation also touched upon the need for established protocols and documents to facilitate international collaboration during health emergencies. Dr. Ochu explained that while there are global protocols for vaccine access, the challenge lies in prioritizing diseases based on their potential global impact. Despite the absence of a specific monkeypox vaccine, the smallpox vaccine is believed to offer some level of protection against the virus. However, enhancing global readiness and response mechanisms remains crucial to addressing emerging health threats. In terms of support needed by the NCDC in Nigeria, Dr. Ochu highlighted the importance of strengthening health systems, engaging community-based organizations for grassroots awareness, and increasing funding for research and development. While some progress has been made following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, more resources and collaboration are essential to effectively combat the ongoing monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria.