- As NCDC Confirms Outbreak In 33 States
BY PATRICK MGBODO
Following the recent outbreak of mpox across the country, the Delta State government has reassured residents that there are currently no active cases of the virus within the state, urging them to remain calm and vigilant.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, who spoke to The Pointer, said two cases of the disease were reported in the state but have been taken care of, adding that the situation is under control.
According to the health commissioner, ‘’We do not have any active case in Delta State. Previously, we had two case and they were properly screened and taken. Now, they are very ok. As of today (yesterday) we have no confirmed case in Delta’’
Earlier, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said it has recorded 39 confirmed cases of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) but with zero deaths in the country.
Director General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this at a press briefing to declare mpox as a public health emergency of international concern. According to Idris, the 39 confirmed cases of mpox were recorded across 33 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
He added that the NCDC is stepping up surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases.
“Some states have also been put on high alert including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.” The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, meanwhile, declared the mpox surge in Africa a global public health emergency. The organization said it is worried by the rise in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the spread to nearby countries.
As a result, WHO called a meeting of experts to study the outbreak and make a recommendation to the United Nations (UN) health agency’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus.
“The emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice,” Tedros said at a press conference.
“This is something that should concern us all. WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, and leveraging our on-the-ground presence, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.”
According to Tedros, the more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported so far in 2024 in DR Congo have exceeded last year’s total.
