-Says cases hit 108 in Nigeria

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Kaduna- The Nigerian Red Cross and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have assembled other stakeholders in Kaduna to find ways of containing the outbreak of MPOX Disease, which had already topped the lead in the North Central region.

The Director of Health and Care, Nigerian Red Cross, Dr.Mannir Jega, said that there were 108 cases of MPOX in 27 states in Nigeria, already.

He spoke in an interview during the MPOX training for health workers from 15 states of the Federation, held in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Dr. Mannir Jega said a similar training was being held in 17 other states in Nigeria.

He said that Bayelsa state had the highest cases of MPOX in the country, adding that the North Central had the highest cases of MPOX in the North.

Jega disclosed that they were developing a preparedness plan for the Northern region aimed at reducing disease transmission and safeguarding vulnerable populations in low-burden states.

He said the Nigerian Red Cross in collaboration with the Ministry of Health,the NCDC and their partners at the International Federation of Red Cross as well as Red Crescent has activated a robust response plan.

According to him,”MPOX is a critical public health issue affecting our nation and the world..This outbreak has been declared a global health emergency by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa CDC . Unfortunately Nigeria is among the affected countries.”

“The latest figures from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed 108 confirmed MPOX cases out of the 1,395 suspected cases this year, spaning 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

“While, we are fortunate that no fatalities have been recorded thus far, we must act decisively to prevent further spread and mitigate its impact,”he said.

Participants at the training were drawn from Kano, Kaduna, Borno,Edo states among others, who were trained with necessary skills and knowledge on how to respond effectively to the outbreak.

Speaking to journalists at the sidelines, Joan Ojukwu, Health and Care Officer of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society based in Abuja, explained further that, they were basically supporting the Nigerian Red Cross to achieve its set objectives.

She said: “Today we are supporting NCDC with technical support in providing information and raising awareness in MPOX,,starting with State Epidiomologists and Health Educators,as well as some of our Red Cross….the idea is to have a strong preparedness action through this training where we equip all the staff about the MPOX disease ..”

A participant from Kogi State,Mrs.Aturu Christiana, expressed gratitude to the organisations for imparting such knowledge on them,and assured that what they were taught in combating the outbreak of MPOX would be stepped down to other medics and health workers back in their respective states of residence.