The medical team at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Bayelsa State led by Professor Dimie Ogoina, NDUTH Chief Medical Director and infectious disease expert, has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s battle against the mpox outbreak.
Ogoina, who chaired the independent expert committee whose recommendations led to the World Health Organization’s declaration of mpox as a global health emergency in August, has been working relentlessly to curb the virus’s spread.
Nigeria is grappling with a concerning spike in cases, with 67 confirmed across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, out of 1,031 suspected nationwide. Bayelsa is among the high-alert states, having recorded six confirmed cases.
Efforts to manage the outbreak are ramping up, with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, announcing the procurement of half a million doses of mpox vaccines, set for deployment in 2024.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, Gavi’s CEO, emphasized the commitment to distributing the vaccines quickly, while long-term plans include building a stockpile for rapid deployment.
In Bayelsa, Ogoina’s team has been managing patients with severe mpox infections since June, successfully treating four cases by August.
“The four patients have fully recovered,” Ogoina noted, sharing optimism about another patient who is “rapidly responding to treatment.”
Ogoina’s leadership has been instrumental in building confidence among his colleagues.
During the 2017 mpox outbreak, the first confirmed case in Nigeria in 38 years, uncertainty led to widespread fear among health workers. Many were hesitant to participate in treating patients due to fear of infection.
This time around, Ogoina has leveraged lessons learned to improve patient care and boost morale among medical personnel.
A key takeaway from Ogoina’s experiences in 2017 is the importance of addressing the psychosocial needs of patients.
He recounts the tragic suicide of a patient who feared the stigma of the disease, highlighting the need for mental health support alongside physical care.
“We manage the disease symptomatically,” Ogoina explains, ensuring patients are treated for skin eruptions, fever, and other symptoms.
Ogoina’s focus on leading by example, exchanging phone numbers with patients and offering personal support, has helped demystify the disease for patients and colleagues.
To control the spread of zoonotic diseases like mpox, Nigerian health authorities are embracing the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention launched a multi-disciplinary research project in October 2023, aiming to better understand mpox transmission and prevention in the Nigerian context.
This holistic response is being echoed at the grassroots level. For instance, Akwa Ibom State has engaged community volunteers to report suspected cases, while the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association has begun campaigns to educate the public on preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The Association of Positive Youth Living with HIV in Nigeria has also joined the response efforts, given the higher risks mpox poses to individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those living with HIV.
As Nigeria prepares to roll out its first batch of 10,000 Jynneos vaccines donated by the U.S., the hope is that the combination of vaccines, community education, and a coordinated response under the One Health approach will help curb the spread of mpox and protect vulnerable populations.
