By Safiyah Suleiman, Hope Emiator & Babatunde Oyewo
Kwara State has intensified its preparedness to handle any potential outbreak of Mpox, a viral disease similar to smallpox.
This as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), says Nigeria has recorded 67 confirmed cases of MPOX in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris who disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja said the states with confirmed cases are Akwa-Ibom (8); Enugu (8); Bayelsa (6); Cross River (5); Benue (4); Plateau (4); Delta (4); FCT (3); Imo (3); Lagos (3); Rivers (2); Abia (2); Osun (2); Anambra (2); Ogun (2).Others are Kaduna (1); Gombe (1); Edo (1); Niger (1); Ebonyi (1); Nasarawa (1); Kebbi (1); and Oyo (1); Zamfara (1).
However the State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (SDSNO) from the Kwara State Ministry of Health Module Ajayi, while disclosing the readiness of the state to Sobi FM highlighted the formation of a comprehensive emergency response team.
This team according to her includes personnel from the State Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.
“This collaboration is crucial, as the management of health issues in Kwara involves more than just the Ministry of Health.
“Agencies like the Ministry of Agriculture also play a role, especially since some groups, such as farmers and hunters, are at higher risk for Mpox due to their close contact with animals. Together, we’ve formed a robust team to handle any potential outbreak,” Ajayi explained.
Ajayi further revealed that the Sobi Specialist Hospital in the state is well-equipped to handle any health emergency or outbreak due to the presence of trained personnel.
She also confirmed that earlier this year, three suspected Mpox cases were reported in January, July, and August. In all cases, samples were sent to a reference laboratory outside the state, and all results came back negative.
In a related development, Dr. Dosunmu Lukman, a virologist and head of the medical laboratory department at Sobi Specialist Hospital, explained that Mpox shares genetic and structural similarities with smallpox, as both are caused by viruses within the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.
“Both Mpox and smallpox have double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes, and their similarities contribute to providing some cross-protection against Mpox.
“This shared viral family would help Kwara leverage existing knowledge and strategies in managing suspected cases of Mpox,” he said.
Lukman added that the hospital is equipped with GeneXpert machines capable of running Mpox samples, provided the appropriate cartridges are available.
“With the right and approved cartridges, the GeneXpert system can serve as a useful diagnostic tool for detecting Mpox due to its ease of use, rapid results, and high sensitivity,” he explained.
However, the virologist emphasized that for now, samples of any suspected cases would be transported by AKESIS or the three riders to laboratories outside the state. He stressed the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the state remains adequately prepared to combat any potential outbreak.
