The recent outbreak of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Nigeria has raised significant public health concerns, with an increase in cases highlighting the need for urgent action.

Development Diaries reports that Nigeria has recorded 40 confirmed cases out of 830 suspected cases, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

In the same vein, the Osun State government recently confirmed two cases.

Recall that the World Health Organisation (WHO), in early August, officially declared Mpox as a global health emergency. This is why increased awareness is important in addition to urgent measures taken to control spread.

The WHO defines Mpox as a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. It is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, and has been affecting communities across the country.

The outbreak underscores the necessity for a well-coordinated response to control its spread and mitigate its impact on affected communities.

To address the crisis effectively, the NCDC needs to prioritise grassroots awareness campaigns.

Alongside leveraging local media and social media platforms to disseminate accurate and timely information, it would be a great move to ensure health educators and health workers are deployed to rural and underserved areas where misinformation and lack of knowledge are prevalent.

Also, tailored messaging, delivered in local languages and through community leaders, can help demystify the disease, educate people on prevention methods, and reduce stigma associated with the illness.

Development Diaries calls on the NCDC to work with community stakeholders in the planning and execution of awareness programmes to ensure that messages are culturally sensitive, effectively created and disseminated.

Photo source: Reuters