Sat 31 August 2024:

Mpox cases in Nigeria have risen to 48, with the virus now reported in the capital Abuja and 20 other states, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Despite the increase in cases, no fatalities have been reported so far. The government received a shipment of 10,000 vaccine doses from the US on August 27 to aid in controlling the outbreak.

Additionally, a health declaration form for international travelers has been introduced to help curb the virus’s spread.

The African Union has declared a public health emergency in response to the virus’s rapid spread across the continent.

Mpox is transmitted through contact with infected rodents, individuals, or contaminated items. Symptoms typically appear 5 to 21 days after exposure and include fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and skin lesions. While there is no specific treatment, antiviral drugs can help manage the condition. Most cases are mild, with recovery occurring within a few weeks.

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) renamed “monkeypox” to “mpox” to address concerns about racism and discrimination associated with the term.

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mpox vaccines arrive in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) Wednesday hailed the delivery of the first mpox vaccines in Africa as a demonstration of international solidarity in the face of global public health emergencies.

Nigeria became the first African country to receive 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines on Tuesday to respond to the outbreak of the viral disease that is sweeping across several countries.

The vaccine, Jynneos (MVA), manufactured by Bavarian Nordic pharmaceutical firm, was donated by the US government.

“The delivery of mpox vaccines to Nigeria is an important addition to the ongoing measures to halt the virus and protect health. It is also a clear demonstration of international solidarity. Grateful to the US government for the generous support,” Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa, said on X.

The WHO has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.

Nigerian health officials said the vaccines will be rolled out in five states with the highest burden of mpox cases.

As of Aug. 10, 2024, the country reported 786 suspected cases, 39 confirmed cases, with no deaths so far this year.

Twelve countries in the African region have recorded cases, according to WHO, with more than 15,000 suspected cases.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, Burundi, and other East African nations are expecting vaccines, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The first batch of vaccine doses promised for Democratic Republic of Congo could arrive on Sept. 1 following delays due to documentation and emergency authorization issues, Jean Kaseya, the head of Africa CDC told a news briefing on Tuesday.

Western partners, including the EU and the US have promised about 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines, according to Africa CDC.

mpox as solely African health issue ‘inappropriate’: Africa CDC

Seeing mpox as a health issue solely affecting Africa “is both wrong and inappropriate,” the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Tuesday.

Mpox is “a major health issue primarily in Africa but also globally,” Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya highlighted in a virtual briefing.

“Therefore, Africa CDC has, for the first time, set up a continental Incident Management Team and a comprehensive continental response plan,” he added.

-Source: AA

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