Kano Confirms 2 Mpox Cases, Says Patients Fully Recovered

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has confirmed two cases of Mpox in the State, saying both patients have fully recovered and discharged from medical facility.

Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, Director General of KNCDC, disclosed this during a media parley on Monday, revealing that the cases were recorded in Kano Municipal local government area and Ungogo local government areas, respectively.

“We have handled both cases successfully. The patients have been treated and discharged home,” Prof. Abbas stated, adding that all traced contacts, however, tested negative for the disease.

He explained that the confirmation comes following an advisory from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), urging heightened vigilance against potential disease outbreaks, including COVID-19, viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, Lassa fever, Marburg, and Mpox.

Prof. Abbas emphasised Kano’s vulnerability as Nigeria’s commercial hub, noting the constant influx and outflow of people. “Even though we don’t have international borders, we border states that do have international boundaries with neighbouring countries, making vigilance highly necessary,” he explained.

“The KNCDC conducted comprehensive contact tracing for the Ungogo case, testing samples from the patient’s community and two hospitals he visited.

“All contacts were monitored for the maximum allowable follow-up period and remained negative,” he stated.

The Director General stressed the critical role of public enlightenment in preventing infectious disease spread, calling on media organisations to amplify health communication efforts across communities.

“The media has been our friend even before the establishment of this center. With the signing of the bill creating the Kano State Center for Disease Control, we believe our first major engagement should be with media members,” Prof. Abass said.

He urged residents to remain alert while assuring that the state’s disease surveillance and response systems were fully operational and at alert to handle any potential outbreaks or emerging threats in the State.