NCDC denounces misinformation about monkeypox in Nigeria
Speaking on the 28th of June 2022, during a virtual media dialogue on Monkeypox, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, expressed his fear that Nigeria might match or exceed the peak number of monkeypox cases seen in 2017 when the virus re-emerged.
According to Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, since the 1st of January 2022, an unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox has been affecting several countries worldwide. With over 3,000 confirmed cases and one death as of June 2022.
According to him, the virus might lead to discrimination and stigmatization. And urgent social and behavioral changes are required, explaining that the misinformation and prevailing media perception of the virus have created false narratives.
According to the NCDC boss, “monkeypox is not a plot to cause lockdowns like COVID-19, and there is no evidence that the virus originated from a laboratory here in Nigeria.”
While the infection is rare, we have gained a better understanding of the virus’s epidemiology to assist with preparedness and response in-country; Dr. Ifedayo said.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control National Reference Laboratory is also performing genomic sequencing to identify possible mutations and the epidemiology of the virus.
Related: 92 Cases Of Monkeypox In 12 Countries–What You Need To Know
Monkeypox in Nigeria: current statistics
There were forty-two (42) new suspected cases reported from 20th to 26th June 2022. From eighteen (18) states–Lagos (5), Bayelsa (4), Nasarawa (4), Plateau (4), Gombe (3), FCT (3), Adamawa (2), Cross River (2), Delta (2), Ondo(2), Oyo (2), Rivers (2), Taraba (2), Abia (1), Benue (1), Edo (1), Katsina (1) and Kwara (1).
Overall, from January to June 2022, there have been 204 suspected cases with 62 confirmed cases. (44 male, 18 female) from nineteen (19) states–Lagos (10), Adamawa (6), Bayelsa (5), Delta (5),
Rivers (5), Cross River (4), Edo (4), FCT (4), Plateau (4), Nasarawa (3), Kano (2), Imo (2), Taraba (2), Abia (1), Katsina (1), Niger (1), Oyo (1), Ondo (1) and Ogun (1). NCDC recorded one death in a 40-year-old man with co-morbidity receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Hence NCDC denounces misinformation about monkeypox
related: Monkeypox Only Affects Monkeys & 10 Other Myths Debunked
Global statistics of the Monkeypox virus
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 50 countries in five regions have reported 3,413 cases between January and June 2022.
86% of confirmed cases came from the WHO European Region. The African Region reports 2% of cases, followed by the American Region at 11%, the Eastern Mediterranean Region at 1%, and the Western Pacific Region at 1%. Sadly, in June 2022, Nigeria had one death reported.
The World Health Organization has also declared that the virus is not a global health emergency. And urged governments globally to step up surveillance, contact tracing, testing, and providing vaccines and antiviral treatments to those at high risk.
WHO is collaborating with health authorities to prevent the further spread of the disease and continues to monitor the situation.
Related: Monkeypox In The UK: New Case Confirmed In A Traveller From Nigeria
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