By Vivian Ihechu
A former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has urged urgent national effort to tackle the Mpox outbreak, citing recent progress and persistent challenges facing Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders during a webinar organised by the Preventive Health Initiative, Adewole emphasised the rising need for public awareness, increased vaccination, and coordinated surveillance as the disease continues to affect states nationwide.
The topic of the webinar, held on Thursday, was “MPOX Ressurgence in Nigeria: Efforts, Challenges and Recommendations.
Adewole, who commended ongoing initiatives to address the situation, explained that Mpox, a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus genus, historically appeared in Central and West Africa but had rapidly become a global health concern, affecting no fewer than 100,000 people in 122 countries since 2022.
The former minister outlined transmission routes, saying :“Mpox spreads mainly through close human contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated objects, but can also pass from animals to humans.
“Notably, recent research reveals people without visible rashes can also transmit the virus.”
He also stressed the importance of healthcare worker vigilance, as Mpox could mimic other common illnesses such as chickenpox and scabies.
According to NCDC data, as of Oct. 31, 2025, Nigeria recorded 414 confirmed cases and 1,623 suspected cases across nearly all states, with six deaths reported.
Commending the NCDC, Adewole highlighted actions taken, including a vaccination campaign focusing on frontline health workers and new national guidelines allowing home-based care for mildly affected patients.
In spite these efforts, Adewole alerted that :“Nigeria faces significant obstacles, notably inadequate resources, limited access to vaccines, as well as stigma and misinformation that undermine case reporting and response.”
He appealed for targeted vaccine deployment to high-risk populations and a scale-up of community education, emphasising that underreporting delays containment.
“Mpox remains an active public health threat.
“Addressing it requires partnership across all government levels, improved funding, and public engagement. No state is immune—collective action is our strongest defence.”
He called on local, state, and federal authorities, as well as the public, to support vaccination and maintain high vigilance to halt the outbreak.
Similarly, Prof. Richard Adegbola noted that mpox, like other infectious diseases, requires a combination of clinical care, community engagement, and accurate public awareness.
Adegbola is a Professor of Microbiology and Bacterial Infection and also, Chairman, NHREC; Founder and Lead Consultant RAMBICON.
He called for continued investment in laboratory capacity and community education to ensure accurate information reaches every corner of the country.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
