NCDC Launches Research into Mpox as Disease Claims 14 Lives

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

In a bid to to improve  understanding and provide evidence that would prevent the outbreak of mpox, its  response and control in the country, the  Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has commenced study into the endemic settings of the Monkey pox virus through the research project titled “Epidemiological and clinical investigation of mpox in Nigeria.

This was just as the Centre said between 2017 till date, there has been 2668 suspected cases, 975 confirmed cases and 14 deaths with Lagos and Rivers States accounting for the highest burden of the disease.

The multi-disciplinary research project according to the Centre was meant to assist in case management and outbreak prevention and control.

A statement by NCDC stated that the research project would be completed over two years and would cover the following thematic areas.

Areas of focus of the research include the clinical characteristics and natural history of mpox disease, the essential epidemiological parameters and factors associated with infection and transmission and the experience of people infected with mpox and those close to them.

The Centre said there would be two work packages – Clinical Study and One Health Study.

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa,  stated, “Today, we begin the journey of knowledge, unity, and determination. In partnership with dedicated researchers and institutions, we set out to unravel the unknowns of the mpox virus through bridging clinical and One Health studies.

“This project symbolises our unwavering commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians, and in turn the world, embracing the power of research, and the strength of collaboration. As we work together, may we move closer to a world free from the threat of mpox that ensures the wellbeing of generations to come.”

Co-project lead, Deputy Director for Research from the UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), Prof. Gwenda Hughes, said he was delighted to be part of the collaboration between NCDC and other partners to better understand the clinical characteristics, pattern of infection and spread of mpox in Nigeria.

He said UK-PHRST would support Nigerian colleagues to answer important scientific questions through the extensive research programme and would also help deliver training of local laboratory staff and field teams.

“Our microbiology specialists have already provided lab equipment and shared expertise to help build local diagnostic capabilities for mpox.

“Through co-creation and by taking a partner-led approach with our Nigerian colleagues, our aim is to support improved case, contact management, and inform the development of effective control measures for mpox both in Nigeria and globally.”

Also another Co-project lead of the clinical characterisation study and senior research fellow at the Pandemic Sciences Institute within the University of Oxford, Dr Jake Dunning, said, “Understanding the features of an emerging infectious disease and how it spreads within a population is essential to controlling it and to optimising the care of patients with the infection.”

Mpox virus, formerly known as Monkeypox, causes the most important global human orthopoxvirus disease since smallpox was eradicated in 1979. Since the virus re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017, reported cases have continued to increase annually.

From 2017 till date, there has been 2668 suspected cases, 975 confirmed cases and 14 deaths with Lagos and Rivers States accounting for the highest burden of the disease.

The 2022 global outbreak which affected over 100 countries, coincided with the country’s largest outbreak with 762 confirmed from more than 2000 suspected cases.