The
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate,
emphasized that the country has intensified monitoring and screening procedures
at all entry points in response to the threat of Mpox, Clade 1.
Monkey Pox caused by a
highly contagious and deadly Monkey
Pox virus, has been causing widespread
devastation in several regions of Africa. This has prompted the World Health
Organization to declare it a Global Health Emergency, necessitating urgent and
coordinated international action to contain its spread and mitigate its impact.
The
Minister stated on Thursday, August
14, 2024, explaining that the Nigeria Centre
for Disease Control (NCDC) and The Nigeria Ports Health Services, under the
Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, had been taking 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.
This 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.
Professor
Pate further explained that the government had implemented a new mandate
requiring all travellers to complete an online health declaration form before
departing for the country. This measure is being introduced alongside the
activation of infectious disease centres in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Minister also counselled the public 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.
MPOX is
transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact, and
talking or breathing close to another person. It causes flu-like symptoms and
skin lesions and 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.
Tashikalmah Hallah
SA/Media & External Relations
CMH&SW
