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Strengthening Capacity for Monkeypox Surveillance in Nigeria

Monkeypox (MPX) is one of the epidemic-prone diseases (EPDs) for control in Nigeria. In 2017, the first monkeypox case was detected in Bayelsa State after 39 years of the last outbreak in the country. Since then, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been implementing measures to heighten surveillance and control the spread.

Between 2017 and 2020, 30 states have reported suspected monkeypox cases with confirmed cases in 18 states. Majority of the cases reported have been detected in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos States. A major priority is to limit further spread of the disease, towards disease control. To achieve this, NCDC has continued to work closely with states’ colleagues, relevant ministries and development partners to enhance surveillance activities and coordinate national response. One of the key priority areas for monkeypox control is having a competent workforce and sustainable structure at the sub-national level to ensure timely response to outbreaks.

From December 7-11 2020, NCDC conducted an enhanced monkey surveillance training for sub-national workforce across 30 high burden local government areas (LGAs) in Bayelsa (8), Rivers (10), Delta (12). The objectives of the training were:

1. To improve the awareness and knowledge of participants on the identification of suspected MPX cases, procedures for collection and management of appropriate samples for diagnostic investigations and reporting of cases to the national surveillance system.

2. To improve participants’ knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures required in MPX management.

3. To ensure participants are equipped to cascade the training to other health care workers.

At the end of the training, a total of 30 Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers and 30 recruited facilitators were trained. This was followed by stepdown training by the trainees, to 450 community informants across the 30 LGAs. The training adopted a One Health approach and this is expected to contribute to improved epidemic intelligence for monkeypox in Nigeria.

The NCDC remains committed to working with states’ colleagues to ensure Nigerians are protected against monkeypox and other EPDs in Nigeria.

Summary of Incidents

1. Information for this disease was retrieved from the Technical Working Group and Situation Reports

2. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for this disease is reported for confirmed cases only

3. Information for this disease was retrieved from IDSR 002 data

4. CFR for this disease is reported for total cases i.e. suspected + confirmed

5. Information for sentinel influenza was retrieved from the laboratory