NCDC Reports 66 Confirmed Monkeypox Cases And One Death 

While 21 deaths had been confirmed, just one fatality had been recorded, according to the agency.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

The Nigeria Centre for Illness Control published a monkeypox status report on Sunday night, revealing that 66 probable cases of monkeypox disease had been detected in Nigeria.

While 21 deaths had been confirmed, just one fatality had been recorded, according to the agency.

Monkeypox is an uncommon illness caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, according to the PUNCH.

According to the World Health Organization, the illness is endemic in West and Central African countries.

It has, however, been reported in other countries of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.

“A total of 66 suspected cases have been reported between January 1st to May 29th, 2022. Of the suspected cases, 21 were confirmed from nine (9) states – Adamawa (5), Lagos (4), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Delta (2), Bayelsa (2), River (1) and Imo (1) – with 1 death recorded. This was in a 40yrs man with renal co-morbidity and on immune-suppressive drugs.

“The twenty (20) new suspected cases in May 2022 were reported from 11 states – Lagos (5), Bayelsa (2), Adamawa (2), Rivers (2), Niger (2), FCT (2), Delta (1), Oyo (1), Kaduna (1), Edo (1) and Gombe (1).

“This is a 100% increase in case reporting as compared with April 2022, when 10 new cases were reported, and is likely due to ongoing efforts to increase awareness and improve surveillance.

“The six (6) new confirmed positive cases (out of the 20 suspected cases) in May 2022 were confirmed from four (4) states – Bayelsa (2), Adamawa (2), Lagos (1), and Rivers (1),” the agency stated.

According to the PUNCH, a total of 578 suspected cases were recorded from 32 states between September 2017 and May 29th, 2022.

The National Multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre has been activated at level 2 by the NCDC.

“This EOC will continue to coordinate ongoing response activities in the country while contributing to the global response.”