Former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has cautioned that Nigeria cannot assume the fight against mpox is over, stressing that the virus continues to circulate across the country despite improvements in surveillance and case management.
His concerns were supported by leading public health experts, including Prof. Richard Adegbola, Dr. Sebestine Oiwoh, and Victor Erunkunakpor, who underscored that mpox remains a global and national public health challenge that demands coordinated action.
Drawing from both clinical and community-level experience, the experts warned that complacency could allow mpox to become permanently established in Nigeria.
During a webinar on mpox, Adewole highlighted the unpredictable nature of infectious diseases in Nigeria, drawing comparisons with previous outbreaks.
“When we have an outbreak, it gets complicated and then settles down. That is frightening,” he said.
Recalling a recent conversation with the Director-General of National Centre for Disease Control, Adewole noted the simultaneous management of seven active outbreaks.
He warned that mpox could soon become “a native of Nigeria” if urgent measures are not taken, similar to how Lassa fever transitioned from seasonal to year-round transmission.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening vaccination programs, particularly for healthcare workers, and protecting those at higher risk.
“No one should sleep and think they are immune. We need to scale up vaccination and post-infection containment,” Adewole stated.
Highlighting the rapid spread of infections, he noted, “in five hours, you can reach Lagos from Calabar, and another five hours to Sokoto. No one should assume immunity.”
He also cited recent studies on mpox transmission in non-exempt communities as further evidence of the need to bolster vaccination and containment efforts.
Adewole stressed proactive measures to protect high-risk groups and prevent the need for stricter restrictions, such as mandatory testing for travelers.
“We cannot sleep. The virus is finding its way across communities, and Nigeria must act decisively to prevent it from becoming endemic.”
Echoing Adewole, Victor Erunkunakpor emphasized practical steps to stop mpox from becoming endemic. He highlighted that mild cases often go unnoticed, allowing the virus to spread silently.
“We need to scale up vaccination, particularly for health workers, and classify those at heightened risk to protect them,” he said.
Erunkunakpor also stressed the importance of survivor engagement, noting that ambassadors, those who have recovered, play a key role in reassuring communities and reducing stigma. “Investment in vaccination, surveillance, and community education is our best defense,” he added.
Prof. Richard Adegbola framed the outbreak within a wider public health perspective, noting that controlling mpox, like other infectious diseases, requires clinical care, community involvement, and accurate public awareness.
He highlighted the social and psychological dimensions of disease management, explaining, “If people don’t understand the disease, the actions that follow perception are where stigma comes in.”
Adegbola urged continued investment in laboratory infrastructure and community education to ensure accurate information reaches all areas.
He also emphasized the importance of understanding social determinants of health, including poverty and access to care, in managing emerging infections.
Dermatologist Dr. Sebastine Oiwoh shared insights from his clinical and community experience dating back to Nigeria’s mpox response in 2017. He recounted treating patients via tele-consultation at Niger Delta University Children’s Hospital and collaborating with NCDC.
“Being at the bedside is not enough; clinical experience must translate into community-level action,” he said.
Oiwoh highlighted the lasting effects of mpox, including scarring, hyperpigmentation, and the psychological burden patients endure post-discharge.
He stressed the importance of home-based care protocols and proper hospital escalation, noting that non-complicated cases can be safely managed at home if housing conditions and access to healthcare support are adequate.
He also drew attention to ocular risks, warning that lesions affecting the eyes require immediate intervention to prevent blindness. Oiwoh’s work has underscored the value of digital health tools, such as tele-dermatology and digital reporting systems, for monitoring outbreaks, guiding laboratory sampling, and supporting genomic sequencing.
He called for expanded community engagement and public health education to counter misinformation and stigma, emphasizing that survivors play a critical role in promoting vaccination and public confidence.
The webinar panel stressed that managing mpox requires coordinated national and international efforts. Vaccination, laboratory capacity, standardized treatment protocols, and community-focused education were identified as urgent priorities.
Oiwoh also highlighted ongoing clinical trials and post-exposure prophylaxis programs in Nigeria, stressing that systematic data collection will improve treatment guidelines and inform public health strategies.
The experts collectively warned against complacency. Mpox is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. Oiwoh reiterated the need for combined clinical expertise, research, and community engagement to mitigate the short- and long-term impacts of mpox on Nigerians.
The panel’s consensus is clear: vigilance, rapid response, and community-centered strategies are essential to prevent mpox from becoming endemic, and the time to act is now.
