NCDC reports higher Mpox infection among males in Nigeria

Statistics obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that more males are getting infected with Mpox in Nigeria.

According to figures posted on the NCDC website on Monday, 67 per cent of Mpox cases recorded since January 2024 have been in males.

The agency said, “Men are predominantly affected, accounting for approximately 70 per cent of 6,001 suspected and confirmed Mpox cases recorded in Nigeria since September 2017, when the first confirmed cases occurred.”

The figures released revealed that a total of 1,031 suspected cases have been reported across 47 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 67 confirmed cases in 2024.

The age and sex distribution in the report showed that children under five years old are the most affected, followed by the 26-30 and 46-50 age groups.

The NCDC highlighted that men are predominantly affected, accounting for approximately 70 per cent of the 6,001 suspected and confirmed Mpox cases recorded in Nigeria since September 2017, when the first confirmed cases occurred.

However, the NCDC disclosed that there have been no fatalities from the disease in 2024, compared to two and seven deaths recorded in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Out of the 64 confirmed cases recorded in 2024, children under five accounted for the highest number, with 15 confirmed cases.

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. While most people recover fully, some may become seriously ill.

The disease can spread from animals to humans, and between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.

PUNCH Online reported that the World Health Organisation recently declared Mpox a global public health emergency.

Although the Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicentre of the outbreak in Africa, Mpox has been reported in at least 14 African countries.

In an effort to reduce transmission and contain the outbreak, the WHO approved the MVA-BN vaccine last Friday as the first Mpox vaccine to be added to its prequalification list.

Nigeria recently received a donation of 10,000 doses of Jynneos, a Mpox vaccine, from the United States government.