The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a total of 39 confirmed cases of mpox, with no fatalities, across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Jide Idris, the Director General of the NCDC, disclosed this information during a press conference on Thursday, where he announced the classification of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.

He emphasized that the NCDC is enhancing surveillance efforts throughout Nigeria to promptly identify and address any new cases.

Idris noted that all port health services at the five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders are currently on high alert.

Additionally, several states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have also been placed on heightened alert.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a global public health emergency on Wednesday, expressing concern over the increasing number of cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the subsequent spread to neighboring countries.

The World Health Organization convened a panel of experts to examine the outbreak and provide recommendations to the director-general of the UN health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice,” Tedros told a press conference.

“This is something that should concern us all. WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, and leveraging our on-the-ground presence, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.”

The decision follows the declaration of a public health emergency by the African Union's health authority in response to the escalating outbreak.

Mpox has rapidly spread throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo, the location where the virus, previously known as monkeypox, was first identified in humans in 1970, and has since extended to other nations.

Tedros noted that the over 14,000 cases and 524 fatalities reported this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo have already surpassed the total figures from the previous year.