- The U.S. has donated 10,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine to Nigeria
- Nigeria has reported 39 cases of Mpox this year
- The African Union has declared a continent-wide public health emergency
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has received a donation of 10,000 doses of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine from the United States as part of the effort to control the Mpox virus.
The vaccine, provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was delivered to officials in Abuja.
The handover event was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Daju Kachillom, and other dignitaries.
Ambassador Mills emphasized that this donation would bolster Nigeria’s efforts to manage the ongoing Mpox outbreak.
This year, Nigeria has reported 39 cases of Mpox. To help curb the disease’s spread, the Nigerian government has introduced a health declaration form for international travelers.
In response to the rapidly spreading Mpox virus across Africa, the African Union has declared a continent-wide public health emergency.
Mpox, transmitted through contact with infected rodents or individuals, can spread via body lesions, contaminated clothing or bedding, and body fluids. Symptoms can develop 5 to 21 days after exposure and may include high fever, headaches, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, chills, and a rash resembling chickenpox.
While there is no specific cure for Mpox, antiviral treatments can help manage symptoms, and most cases resolve within a few weeks. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially changed the name from “monkeypox” to “mpox” to avoid stigma and discrimination.
