Nigeria at risk of ongoing monkeypox transmission, WHO warns

The World Health Organisation said, Nigeria is at risk of ongoing transmission of monkeypox as the source of the infection in the country is not known.

According to WHO, the risk of onward transmission related to the confirmed case in the United Kingdom is minimal.

On May 7, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was notified by the UK International Health Regulations national focal point of a case of monkeypox detected in a patient with recent travel history to Nigeria.

The individual is a UK resident who arrived in Nigeria on April 20, travelled to Lagos and Delta States during the time spent in Nigeria, departed Lagos on May 3, and arrived in the UK on May 4.

The NCDC said while in Nigeria, the case did not report being in contact with anyone with symptoms of monkeypox or other illness with rash but the diagnosis of monkeypox was confirmed by PCR in the UK on May 6.

However, the patient is currently stable and receiving care in the UK.

“In the present case, the source of infection is currently unknown and the risk of further transmission in Nigeria cannot be excluded,” WHO said.

The moment monkeypox was suspected in the United Kingdom, authorities promptly initiated appropriate public health measures, including isolation of the case and contact tracing.

The risk of potential onward spread related to this case in the United Kingdom is therefore minimal. As the source of infection in Nigeria is not known, there remains a risk of further transmission in Nigeria.

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