The Rapid Response Committee of the Academy of Medicine Specialties in Nigeria has expressed worries over the ongoing Mpox outbreak across several African countries.
The medical group in a statement on Thursday signed by the Chairman of the committee, Prof Obinna Onwujekwe, and a member of the committee, Prof Richard Adegbola, advised the Federal Government to establish a national advisory task force on Mpox.
The academy noted that the outbreak constitutes a significant public health challenge and requires immediate and coordinated action at both national and regional levels.
Recall that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental security in Africa and a public health emergency of international concern on August 13th and 14th respectively.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention as of August 25, revealed that 48 confirmed Mpox cases have been recorded out of 868 suspected cases across 35 local government areas in 19 states, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We call for immediate, coordinated actions by governments, public health authorities, and international partners to contain the outbreak and minimize its impact on public health. The Federal Government should establish a national advisory task force on Mpox that should be led by the presidency for high-level coordination of the national Mpox response,” the Academy said in the statement.
It also called for increased surveillance systems to detect and respond to new cases quickly, and integrating Mpox monitoring into existing health surveillance frameworks to help contain the virus and prevent further transmission.
“There is an urgent need to improve public awareness and understanding of Mpox, particularly regarding its symptoms, modes of transmission, and preventive measures. Billboards and radio jingles should be deployed in all the states and Federal Capital Territory to inform the public and provide constant health education messages that will protect the people against the risk factors of Mpox using simple messages.
“The federal, state, and local governments should engage communities in the response efforts, ensuring they are informed, involved, and empowered to take preventive actions.
“The organised private sector and civil society organisations should be mobilised by the federal and state governments to play major roles in response to Mpox,” it stated.
It also urged resource mobilisation to support affected healthcare systems, including the provision of personal protective equipment, diagnostic tools, and treatment options.
It stressed the need for robust research and data collection to better understand the epidemiology of Mpox in the African region.
“This includes the identification of potential animal reservoirs, the role of human behaviour in transmission, and the effectiveness of current interventions. Current Mpox studies in Nigeria should be expanded to include implementation research to address the outbreak. The federal and state governments with their partners should invest in ongoing research to close knowledge gaps about Mpox in Nigeria.
“This research should guide the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Also, Good Participatory Practices that involve communities, co-designing of the research, and co-interpretation of findings should be at the forefront of these efforts, ensuring that community voices guide the response.
“The Federal government, through the NCDC, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency should prioritise the distribution of Mpox vaccine to the most affected and at-risk populations in the country.
“The current Mpox outbreak poses a serious public health threat that requires urgent attention. The Rapid Response Committee of the Academy of Medicine Specialties stands ready to support efforts to manage and contain the outbreak. We call on stakeholders to work together to protect the health and well-being of all affected communities,” the medical group said in the statement.
According to the World Health Organisation, the monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes mpox (monkeypox), a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe.
“While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, mpox continues to occur in countries of central and west Africa. Since May 2022, cases have also been reported from countries without previously documented mpox transmission outside the African region. Two distinct clades of the monkeypox virus have been identified: Clade I (previously known as the Congo Basin (central African) clade and Clade II (the former west African clade).
“Mpox is a zoonosis, a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans, with cases often found close to tropical rainforests where there are animals that carry the virus. Evidence of monkeypox virus infection has been found in animals including squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, different species of monkeys and others.
“The disease can also spread from humans to humans. It can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects,” WHO noted.
