Lagos, Nigeria - August 20, 2024

Nigeria has rolled out measures to contain the spread of mpox as the country has recorded 39 cases of the virus this year amid a surge in infections across Africa.

An outbreak of mpox, also known as monkeypox, has taken hold in the DR Congo and spread to nearby countries. So far, Nigeria has recorded no deaths from the disease according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, and the West African country is acting fast to prevent its spread.

The country is meanwhile contending with cases of Cholera, Lassa fever, yellow fever and meningitis as well as rising anti-microbial resistance.

With mpox now added to the cocktail, health authorities have their work cut out, but experts said there is no cause for panic.

Health authorities said that they are considering vaccination for high-risk groups as about 10,000 doses of vaccines approved for emergency use are expected to arrive in the country.

Shotlist:
Lagos, Nigeria - Aug 20, 2024:
1. Various of doctors treating patients;
2. Various of doctors doing lab tests;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jide Idris, director general, Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (partially overlaid with shot 4):
"We are intensifying surveillance activities, that's tracking cases across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases. We are working with the Port Health Services. Along this line, five designated international airports and some key seaports including land and food crossing borders have been placed on high alert. Declaration forms have been distributed to airlines, especially those coming from countries where there is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in the last 90 days. Treatment protocols and diagnostic tool protocols according to the IDSR are now distributed to various states. Additionally, we continue to provide health workers and the public with updated guidance on infection prevention and control measures, as well as train surge staff as part of our preparedness and readiness for mpox's public health events.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of doctor doing lab tests;
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5. Various of people waiting in hospital;
6. Doctors working;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Njemanze, health expert:
"The important measures we should take, as I said, is public awareness. So we have to start teaching our people on case detection. The best people to do this are the mothers and fathers and the relations at home. When you notice that a child is having fever, headache and rashes, this is what you do. So pamphlets with pictures of these patients placed in public areas is very important.";
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Tuyi Mebawondun, public health physician:
"Now, we need to take it to the local governments, the CDAs, and the communities that are actually prone to monkeypox. As it is now, every community is prone to it because as long as you allow contact between animals, it's not just monkeys, rodents, squirrels, rats, they can actually be a host to these virus. So, we avoid them.";
9. Doctor writing;
10. Various of doctors, patients in hall.

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