By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Amid escalation of Mpox in some African countries, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has disclosed that Nigeria has intensified monitoring and screening procedures at all entry points in response to the threat of the Mpox, Clade 1 strain.
Prof. Pati who disclosed this on Thursday, explained that in a joint effort the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ,NCDC, and the Nigeria Ports Health Services, under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, had taken steps to fortify Nigeria’s defences even before the declaration of Mpox a public health emergency by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and prevention.
“The government has implemented a mandatory online health declaration form for all travellers to be completed there before departure from the country.”
This measure is being introduced alongside the activation of infectious disease centres in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Prof. Pate said.
The Monkey pox virus, now renamed Mpox by WHO, is highly contagious with a widespread devastation in several African regions.
Its widespread and devastating nature, has necessitated the World Health Organization, WHO, to declare Mpox a Global Health Emergency, necessitating urgent and coordinated international action to contain its spread and mitigate its impact.
The Mpox Clade 1 strain has caused fatalities in up to 10% of individuals who have fallen ill in previous outbreaks. He added that the aim is to tackle and mitigate its impact by deploying measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact, and talking or breathing close to another person.
Symptoms include flu-like droplets, and skin lesions which can be fatal, with 4 in 100 cases leading to death.
Outbreaks of Mpox can also be prevented and controlled with vaccines, although these are usually only available for people at risk or those in close contact with an infected person.
Meanwhile, the Minister has cautioned the public in the need to practice good hygiene, frequent hand washing with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with an infected person or animal.
