Nigeria Updates Mpox Response Guidelines and Expands Community Awareness Effort
Nigeria is taking major strides to strengthen its response to mpox by updating national clinical guidelines, improving referral and data reporting systems, and increasing community-level awareness to reduce transmission and encourage early treatment.
Mpox has remained a persistent public health concern in the country since 2017. In 2024, Nigeria recorded 189 confirmed cases. As of 19 October 2025, the number has risen to 389 confirmed cases and six deaths across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) highlighting the need for continuous surveillance, rapid detection, and public awareness.
Reviewing National Case Management Guidelines
To address these gaps, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank funding, convened a national workshop to review and update Nigeria’s 2019 mpox case management and infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines.
The previous guidelines no longer reflected new WHO recommendations, updated clinical knowledge, or the availability of antiviral treatments.
- Participants included:
- Clinicians and infectious disease experts
- Epidemiologists and IPC specialists
- State and local health officials
- Health education officers and implementing partners
A key outcome of the workshop was the development of Nigeria’s first national home-based care and isolation protocol for mpox. This protocol is designed to:
Strengthen links between community care and health facilities
Reduce unnecessary hospitalizations
Ease the financial burden on affected households
“Our priority is to ensure that mpox patients receive safe and timely care using evidence-based protocols,” said Dr. Odianosen Ehiakhamen of the NCDC. “Standardizing home-based care will help reduce community transmission and improve our health system’s resilience.”
WHO provided technical support by sharing global best practices and offering guidance for adaptation.
“The revised guidelines reinforce clinical preparedness and support health workers across all levels,” said Dr. Joshua Ofoli, WHO Case Management & IPC Technical Officer.
Strengthening Referrals and Data Systems
The updated guidelines also focus on improving referral systems and integrating digital surveillance tools to enable better data flow between communities and health facilities.
“Clear referral pathways and improved data links allow for faster public health responses and targeted interventions,” explained Diemebonso Oyaba, Disease Surveillance Officer from Bayelsa State
This will help ensure early alerts, quicker coordination, and more efficient outbreak control efforts.
Community Sensitisation and Awareness Campaigns
Alongside technical updates, Nigeria is scaling up mpox community outreach across 15 high-risk states. In partnership with WHO, the NCDC has:
- Trained 570 frontline health workers
- Distributed IPC materials and triage tools
- Launched community-based surveillance initiatives
Public education activities are being conducted through market engagements, radio programs, door-to-door visits, town hall meetings, and partnerships with local leaders.
In Kaduna State, awareness efforts led by the Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Development Agency reached traders and households in Chikun Local Government Area.
“I used to think mpox was just rumours,” said Aisha Suleiman, a vegetable seller in Sabon Market. “Now I understand the symptoms and that treatment is available. I will help others learn and encourage them to seek help early.”
Nigeria’s strengthened mpox responserooted in updated clinical guidance, enhanced surveillance systems, and active community engagementis expected to significantly improve disease control and reduce transmission.
WHO and health partners will continue collaborating with the Government of Nigeria to support:
- Ongoing surveillance
- Case management and IPC capacity
- Community awareness and risk communication efforts
Long-term progress will require continued collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, partners, and community members.