NCDC HEIGHTENS ALERT AT ALL PORTS INCLUDING LAND BORDERS IN RESPONSE TO ONGOING OUTBREAKS OF MPOX IN AFRICA 15-08-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened its alert at all ports across Nigeria, including airports, seaports, and land borders in response to ongoing outbreaks of mpox in Africa.
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, stated this in Abuja following the declaration of mpox a public health emergency by global and continental health organizations.
He also states some states have also been put on high alert including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba.
Dr. Idris pointed out that 39 cases have so far been reported across 33 states plus the FCT with no deaths and assured that efforts were on to secure vaccines for the country.
Giving an update on Cholera, the NCDC Director General said as of August 11, this year, 5,951 suspected cases have been reported with 176 deaths across all 36 states and the FCT.
Dr. Jide Idris explained that factors such as open defecation and contaminated water sources, exacerbated by rainfall, were contributing to the spread of the disease.
The NCDC DG mentioned that the agency had created a disease calendar to predict and prepare for outbreaks and that Lassa fever cases are expected to rise slightly in October and November, peak from December to February, and decrease by March and April.
For yellow fever, Dr Idris said cases will peak in November and start declining in December.