The West African Health Organization (WAHO) extends its deep appreciation to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its swift and comprehensive response to the Mpox outbreak in 2024. Following an extensive assessment conducted by a WAHO delegation led by Dr Buba Manjang, Special Advisor to the Director General and Coordinator Pandemic Prevention and One Health, it is evident that Nigeria’s proactive measures have been instrumental in containing the outbreak and mitigating its public health impact. Nigeria has experienced a re-emergence of Mpox since September 2017, with cases reported across multiple states. As of late 2024, there have been 1,484 suspected cases and 124 confirmed cases from 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The delegation’s assessment highlighted the Nigerian government and Partners commitment to disease surveillance, timely case detection, and robust public health interventions. The coordinated efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA),
UNICEF, AFRICA Centers for Disease Control, World Health organisation, and other relevant agencies played a critical role in ensuring effective outbreak management.
Key aspects of Nigeria’s response that received commendation include:
- Rapid Deployment of Response Teams: The immediate mobilization of epidemiologists, medical personnel, and laboratory experts to affected areas.
- Enhanced Public Health Surveillance: Strengthening disease monitoring systems to quickly identify and isolate cases, thereby preventing further spread.
- Community Engagement and Public Awareness: Launching nationwide sensitization campaigns to educate citizens on Mpox prevention and control measures.
- Vaccine and Treatment Access: Nigeria has facilitated the distribution of vaccines and medical supplies to high-risk populations and ensuring prompt clinical care for those affected. As of January 23, 2025, a total of 7,959 people had been vaccinated, with 268 non-serious Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and 1 serious AEFI reported. Six states have completed the second dose of the Mpox vaccine, while Enugu is on-going. Mobilization for the second dose is ongoing for states with low second-dose vaccinations. A comprehensive cold chain and logistics management plan is in place to manage the vaccine's temperature sensitivity.
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Partnering with neighboring countries and regional health bodies to enhance coordinated efforts in disease control and prevention.
Nigeria Mpox Epi Week Summary for 2025, highlights surveillance data from weeks 1 to 3, showing a total of 121 suspected cases across 20 states and the FCT, with 12 confirmed Mpox cases and 46 VZV (Varicella Zoster Virus) cases. There were no deaths reported, and the case fatality rate (CFR) remains at 0.0%. In Epi Week 3 (Jan 13-19, 2025) there were 42 suspected cases (16 states), with 6 confirmed Mpox cases (6 states), 23 VZV confirmed cases (11 states) and 3 co-infections (3 states):
WAHO recognizes the dedication and resilience demonstrated by the Nigerian government and its health agencies in tackling this public health challenge. The organization also commends the tireless efforts of frontline healthcare workers who have been at the forefront of the response, often under challenging conditions. However, there is a need to strengthen coordination between health agencies and improve multi-sectoral collaboration for outbreak preparedness and response. Also, the assessment team has also highlighted the need to broaden the network of Public Health Laboratories for enhancing detection capacities. Finally, there is a need for more funding to support research on Mpox .
WAHO remains committed to supporting Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states in strengthening their public health systems to combat infectious diseases effectively.” As part of ongoing efforts, WAHO will continue to work with the Nigerian government and other regional stakeholders to reinforce health security, improve disease preparedness, and build sustainable healthcare infrastructure for future health emergencies.
WAHO Strengthened regional Laboratories Network by training specialists in all 15 ECOWAS Member States providing resources and equipment. It enhanced Capacity at Entry Points for improved detection and control protocols. WAHO again provided $1.5M allocated to support national Mpox response plans.
The Director General of WAHO Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël C. AÏSSI, sent a mission to Nigeria to evaluate the level of intervention in response to Mpox. This team comprised of three (3) technical experts and consultants led by Dr Buba Manjang, Special Advisor to the DG and Coordinator Pandemic Prevention and One Health.