Health

NCDC confirms mpox outbreak in 19 states, FCT

The Mpox outbreak continues to spread across Nigeria, affecting 30 local government areas in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 40 confirmed cases reported. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) also indicated that there are 802 suspected cases across 33 states.

This alarming development comes just days before the United States government’s donation of 10,000 doses of Mpox vaccines to Nigeria, a timely intervention as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) have declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International and Continental Concern (PHEIC/PHECC).

The NCDC’s latest data reveals that the confirmed cases were identified as of August 19, marking the beginning of the 34th week of the year 2024. Fortunately, no deaths have been recorded in Nigeria this year related to the disease.

The states most affected include Bayelsa with 5 cases; Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Cross River each reporting 4 cases; and Benue with 3 cases. Other states like the FCT, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Plateau, Nasarawa, Lagos, Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, and Osun have also reported cases.

Overall, the African continent has seen 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths this year due to the Mpox outbreak, with a new strain of the virus emerging from Eastern Congo and spreading to other countries including Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Health

Two Mpox cases evacuated to isolation centre in Cross River – State govt

Cross River State epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong has announced that two cases of M-Pox have been confirmed, this time in the Calabar Municipality area of the state.

The official said the Case Management Team has evacuated the patients to an isolation centre.

In a statement, the epidemiologist said, “State/LGA RRT have commenced contact tracing, listing, and monitoring.”

She emphasised that ‘financial resources’ are urgently needed for response activities.

Four days ago, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, announced total figures of 56 Mpox cases in the country with Cross River having five.

Health

Akwa Ibom records five monkeypox cases

The Akwa Ibom State Government has raised the alarm over the increasing cases of monkeypox in the state, with five confirmed cases recorded so far.

The government has urged residents to be vigilant as the disease spreads across local government areas.

During an update on Friday, September 6, the state government revealed that out of 30 samples collected for diagnosis, five tested positive. The initial four confirmed cases included three males and one female, aged 2, 4, 12, and 41.

Samuel Etuk, the official in charge of disease surveillance and notification at the state Ministry of Health, confirmed the fifth case and noted that contact tracing efforts are underway while the affected individuals are in isolation.

Etuk provided details at a Media Review Meeting organized by Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in collaboration with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP).

He emphasized the importance of community involvement in monitoring the disease, with 10 informants engaged in each of the state’s 368 political wards to report cases to health authorities.

Etuk explained that Mpox can be transmitted from animals to humans (a zoonotic process), as well as through direct or indirect human contact. Transmission can occur through contact with urine, blood, faeces, skin lesions, and oral secretions.

Symptoms of Mpox typically appear after an incubation period of 5 to 21 days and include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, rashes, and muscle pain. The rashes often start on the face and spread to other parts of the body.

To prevent further spread, residents are advised to avoid contact with sick animals or humans, maintain proper hygiene, and report any suspected cases to health authorities or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Etuk reminded the public that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared Mpox a global public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, signaling the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures.

Health

FG to establish blood collection centres in 774 LGAs

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish Blood Collection Centres in all 774 local government areas, including the FCT, to ensure availability of blood during medical emergencies and transfusions.

Abdullahi Haruna, Head, Media and Publicity, National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement quoted Prof. Saleh Yuguda, the Director-General, NBSA, as reiterating government’s commitment towards addressing blood shortages in the country as the initiative would save lives.

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“We are working tirelessly to ensure that blood needs are adequately addressed, and this initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

“NBSA has partnered with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to establish a formidable blood bank at the Corp’s medical facility.

“This collaboration aims to mitigate blood shortages during medical emergencies and provide critical support to sister security agencies,” he said.

He explained that to kickstart the blood collection project, the FCT will host strategic blood collection facilities in easily accessible locations.

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“This move is expected to increase blood donation rates and ensure a steady supply of blood for medical purposes.

“The establishment of blood collection centers across Nigeria is a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the country’s healthcare system.

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“As the project rolls out, Nigerians should expect improved access to blood transfusions and better health outcomes,” he said.

The statement also disclosed that the Deputy Commandant Emeka Okeke of the NSCDC said: “this initiative will play a vital role in addressing blood shortages and saving lives.”