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Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has indicated that more males are being infected with Mpox in the country.
Approximately 67% of Mpox cases recorded since January 2024 have been in males, it said.
The agency reported that men account for around 70% of the 6,001 suspected and confirmed Mpox cases in Nigeria since the first confirmed cases in September 2017.
A total of 1,031 suspected cases have been reported across 47 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 67 confirmed cases in 2024.
The report indicated that children under five are the most impacted, followed by the 26-30 and 46-50 age groups.
Additionally, men account for approximately 70% of the 6,001 suspected and confirmed Mpox cases in Nigeria since September 2017.
However, there have been no fatalities from the disease in 2024, in contrast to two and seven deaths recorded in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Out of the 64 confirmed cases recorded in 2024, children under five accounted for the highest number, with 15 confirmed cases.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. While most people recover fully, some may become seriously ill.
The disease can spread from animals to humans, and between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
The World Health Organisation recently declared Monkeypox a global public health emergency.
Although the Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicentre of the outbreak in Africa, Monkeypox has been reported in at least 14 African countries.
In an effort to reduce transmission and contain the outbreak, the WHO approved the MVA-BN vaccine last Friday as the first Monkeypox vaccine to be added to its prequalification list.
Nigeria recently received a donation of 10,000 doses of Jynneos, a Monkeypox vaccine, from the United States government.
