The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 55 cases of monkeypox out of 935 suspected cases across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year.Â
No fatalities have been reported in connection with the disease so far.
The confirmed cases predominantly affect males, accounting for 70% of the total, while females make up 30%.
The age distribution of the cases is as follows: 19 cases in children aged 0-10, 8 cases in individuals aged 11-20, 12 cases in those aged 21-30, 8 cases in people aged 31-40, 7 cases in those aged 41-50, and 1 case in individuals over 50.
The geographical distribution of confirmed cases includes Enugu with 8 cases, Bayelsa and Akwa-Ibom each with 6 cases, Cross River with 5 cases, and Delta, Benue, and Plateau each with 3 cases. Other cases are scattered across various states.
Since September 2017, Nigeria has reported 4,752 suspected cases of monkeypox, with 1,141 confirmed and 17 deaths.
Monkeypox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is similar to smallpox and spreads through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
Both the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centre for Disease Control have recognized monkeypox as a global and continental public health emergency, respectively.
