Health stakeholders in Nigeria have issued a fresh warning following the release of official data showing a concerning spread of Mpox across the country. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that 33 states have recorded 414 Mpox cases and six related deaths in its cumulative report for November 2025.
Experts Warn Against Complacency Amid Persistent Spread
Speaking during a recent webinar hosted by Preventive Health Nigeria, specialists acknowledged improvements in areas like surveillance and vaccine deployment but stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to relax. They identified rising stigma, delayed medical care, and continuous population movement as key drivers sustaining the transmission of the virus. The webinar, sponsored by Bavarian Nordic, focused on assessing the risks and Nigeria's preparedness for a prolonged outbreak.
Former Minister of Health, Professor Richard Adegbola, provided critical context. He noted that while Mpox was first identified in laboratory monkeys, rodents are now considered the primary reservoir. Nigeria had only three recorded cases before 2017, but the disease has since spread widely, with nearly all states affected in the current resurgence.
Understanding the Virus and Nigeria's Current Situation
Professor Adegbola described Mpox as an orthopoxvirus that can mimic common skin conditions, making laboratory confirmation essential. He cited research from the University of Ibadan indicating that individuals without visible rashes can still transmit the virus. Children, pregnant women, the immunocompromised, and people with chronic illnesses face a higher risk of severe disease.
Globally, over 172,000 lab-confirmed cases have been recorded since 2022, with 61,000 in 33 African nations. For Nigeria, the data shows 1,623 suspected cases and 414 confirmed infections as of late October 2025, resulting in the six fatalities. Adegbola commended health workers for maintaining a zero-fatality rate in recent weeks and highlighted efforts by the NCDC to expand testing and training.
He identified Lagos, Rivers, and Bayelsa as high-priority states, while noting emerging clusters in Akwa Ibom and Edo, proving no state is immune. The public was urged to avoid close contact with infected persons or animals, practice regular handwashing, and support the vaccination campaign launched in November 2024 for health workers and high-risk groups.
Field Challenges: Stigma, Misinformation, and Movement
Dermatologist and NCDC Mpox expert in Edo State, Dr. Sebastian Oiwoh, highlighted practical challenges in clinical management. He pointed out that many patients suffer long-term skin complications like scars and pigment changes, alongside overlooked psychological effects that require sustained support.
Dr. Oiwoh emphasized that widespread misinformation leads many Nigerians to misidentify early symptoms as allergies, delaying care until their condition worsens. This delay increases complications and fuels transmission. Stigma remains a major barrier, causing infected individuals to hide symptoms for fear of discrimination.
Population movement, especially when symptomatic persons travel from urban to rural areas seeking privacy or traditional remedies, has accelerated spread into regions with limited health resources. Dr. Oiwoh also warned against dangerous myths, such as the belief that Mpox only affects men who have sex with men or that herbal mixtures can cure it, which further delay proper treatment.
The CEO of Preventive Health Nigeria, Adekola Wojuola, stated that while improved surveillance and vaccine access are positive, vigilance is critical as the virus continues to circulate.
In conclusion, experts agreed that although Nigeria has not seen a sudden spike, Mpox remains an active threat. They called for broader vaccine access, increased research funding, more effective public education, and deeper collaboration across all levels of government and the health system to control the outbreak.
