Science and Solidarity Speak Up on Monkeypox

Monkeypox Outbreak in Nigeria

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that is similar to human smallpox. It was first discovered in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in monkeys kept for research. The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as rodents and primates, or through contact with contaminated materials, such as bedding or clothing.

Recently, Nigeria has been experiencing an outbreak of monkeypox, with over 100 cases reported in 2021. The outbreak has been linked to the consumption of bushmeat, which is a common practice in Nigeria. The virus is also spreading through human-to-human contact, which is a concern for health officials.

Challenges in Controlling the Outbreak

Controlling the monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria has been challenging due to several factors. One of the main challenges is the lack of awareness and understanding of the disease among the general population. Many people in Nigeria are not familiar with monkeypox and do not know how to prevent its spread.

Another challenge is the limited resources and infrastructure for disease surveillance and control in Nigeria. The country has a weak healthcare system, which makes it difficult to identify and respond to outbreaks quickly. Additionally, there is a shortage of trained healthcare workers and laboratory facilities, which are essential for diagnosing and treating monkeypox.

Finally, the outbreak is occurring in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has strained healthcare resources and diverted attention away from other infectious diseases. This has made it even more difficult to control the spread of monkeypox in Nigeria.

Importance of International Support

International support is crucial for controlling the monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working with the Nigerian government to provide technical assistance and support for disease surveillance and control. The WHO has also provided vaccines and other medical supplies to help contain the outbreak.

In addition to the WHO, other international organizations and countries have also provided support for the monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided technical assistance and training for healthcare workers, while the United Kingdom has provided laboratory support for diagnosing monkeypox cases.

Overall, the monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria highlights the importance of international solidarity and cooperation in controlling infectious diseases. It also underscores the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and resources in developing countries to prevent and respond to outbreaks

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Monkeypox | Voice for Science and Solidarity

You can download the article in pdf here or read the full text belowVaccination of vulnerable groups against monkeypox virus (MPV) in a highly C-19 vaccinated population will drive adaptive evolution of MPV and ignite multi-country epidemics in poorly C-19 vaccinated countries ‍Exposure of a highly C-19 vaccinated population to monkeypox virus (MPV) spilling over from an animal reservoir promotes asymptomatic human-to-human transmission in susceptible sexual minority communities (SMCs). MPV infection in SMCs could therefore evolve more infectious viral variants that spread to all parts of a highly C-19 vaccinated population and thereby prevent establishment of herd immunity Increasing numbers of outbreaks of human monkeypox have been reported from across central and west Africa over the last 3-4 decades. Zoonotic

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