The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reassured Nigerians that most mpox patients recovered fully after receiving timely and expert medical care.

The NCDC, via its official website, explained on Thursday the importance of seeking medical attention at the earliest sign of symptoms to facilitate recovery and limit the spread of the disease.

The NCDC highlighted that individuals may also experience sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and a distinctive rash that begins on the face, palms, soles, and genitals.

The agency stressed that early detection and treatment were crucial to effective disease management.

“Our healthcare system is equipped to handle these cases, and with the public’s cooperation in seeking care, we can continue to control the spread of mpox,” it added.

In response to the ongoing outbreak, the NCDC said it monitors cases nationwide and has strengthened surveillance and response efforts in collaboration with state health authorities.

The agency also urged the public to avoid contact with infected individuals or animals that might harbour the virus and to maintain good hygiene practices to reduce the spread of the disease.

Nigeria received 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines from the U.S. and has prioritised five states (Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Lagos, and Rivers) due to their high mpox case burden.

Since the beginning of the year, confirmed cases of the disease have been recorded across 19 states, including Abuja.

Bayelsa currently leads with five confirmed cases, followed by Cross River, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom, with four cases each, and Benue three cases.

For suspected cases, Ogun tops the chart with 141 suspected cases, followed by Lagos with 99, Bayelsa with 94, Ekiti with 47, and Osun with 45 suspected cases recorded this year.

Although the number of mpox cases in Nigeria is relatively low compared to countries in the Central African region, where thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths have been reported, experts warn that the risk of mpox remains significant in the country.

(NAN)