March 18, 2026
MPOX RESURGENCE: WHY AFRICA AND NIGERIA MUST PAY ATTENTION
- Opeyemi Hammed & Busayo Buoye, SRHIN
Across the global health community, mpox is attracting attention again. Although it has been present in parts of Africa, recent reports of cases in countries such as the United Kingdom and India highlight how easily infectious diseases can cross borders in the world. For many Africans, mpox may appear to be a distant or occasional outbreak but it is where it used to circulate and where the risk of sustained transmission is highest. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, several African countries continue to report mpox cases each year, with the largest burden occurring in Central and West Africa.As cases reappear globally, public health experts emphasize the importance of surveillance, awareness and preparedness especially in African Countries where the virus has been detected before.
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family which is also responsible for causing smallpox. Although mpox is generally less severe than smallpox, it can still cause significant illness and occasionally lead to complications especially in vulnerable populations.
The disease was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958, while the first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, mpox has been reported primarily in Central and West African countries, where the virus is considered endemic so it has never gone completely, it is present but doesn’t cause disturbance.
Mpox is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Certain rodents and small mammals are believed to serve as natural reservoirs of the virus. However, once introduced into human populations, the virus can also spread through close person-to-person contact meaning it can become rapid in a short period of time.
Mpox Clades and Strains
Clinically, mpox virus is in two main genetic clades, which differ in severity and geographic distribution.
- Clade I which has historically circulated in Central Africa and is associated with more severe disease and higher mortality rates. Researchers have identified sublineages within this clade, including Clade Ia and Clade Ib. Some recent outbreaks in Central Africa have involved Clade Ib, which has drawn scientific attention because of evidence suggesting increased human-to-human transmission. (what is the difference between Ia and Ib)
- Clade II (West African Clade) which has historically been found in West Africa and tends to cause milder illness. It is also divided into Clade IIa and Clade IIb. The large global outbreak that began in 2022 was primarily driven by Clade IIb, which spread rapidly across several continents.
Cases in the UK and India?
Recent cases reported in the United Kingdom and India have mostly been linked to imported infections or travel-related exposures connected to global transmission networks. Many of these cases have been associated with Clade IIb, the same lineage responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022. However, continued genomic surveillance is important because viral evolution and the emergence of new lineages remain possible.
These cases demonstrate how quickly infectious diseases can move across continents when international travel and close-contact transmission occur.
Why Mpox Is Reappearing Globally
Several factors have contributed to the resurgence of mpox worldwide. One major factor is the decline in population immunity following the eradication of smallpox. For decades, smallpox vaccination provided cross-protection against mpox but since the routine vaccination programs ended after smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it left people without immunity against mpox.
Other contributing factors include increased international travel and global connectivity, urban population growth and crowding, Increased interaction between humans and potential animal reservoirs. These then create opportunities for zoonotic viruses like mpox to spread beyond traditional endemic regions.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms
Mpox normally begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by the appearance of a characteristic rash. The incubation period usually ranges from 5 to 21 days.
Early symptoms may include Fever, Headache, Fatigue, Muscle aches, Swollen lymph nodes, Back pain. Within a few days, patients develop a distinctive rash that evolves through several stages:
- Macules (flat lesions)
- Papules (raised bumps)
- Vesicles (fluid-filled blisters)
- Pustules (pus-filled lesions)
- Scabs that eventually fall off
Although many people recover within a few weeks, complications can occur, including secondary infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the eyes.
Who Is Most at Risk?
While anyone can become infected, certain groups face a higher risk of exposure or severe illness.
Healthcare workers may be at increased risk because they can come into close contact with infected patients during diagnosis and treatment, particularly when infection prevention measures are inadequate.
Individuals who handle wildlife or bushmeat may also face increased risk because animal reservoirs can carry the virus.
People with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to severe disease. This includes individuals living with chronic illnesses, people receiving immunosuppressive treatments, or those with conditions that compromise immune function.
Children and pregnant women may also experience more severe complications because their immune responses may differ from those of healthy adults.
What This Means for Africa
Africa remains central to the global conversation on mpox. Many countries on the continent continue to report cases, yet diagnostic capacity and surveillance systems are still developing in several regions.
In some areas, limited laboratory infrastructure and health system challenges may result in underreporting or delayed detection of cases. This can allow transmission chains to continue within communities before outbreaks are recognized.
Strengthening disease surveillance systems, expanding laboratory diagnostic networks, and improving public health communication are therefore critical steps in improving outbreak detection and response across the continent.
Mpox and Preparedness in Nigeria
Nigeria has previously experienced mpox outbreaks, including a significant resurgence that began in 2017. Since then, health authorities have maintained surveillance and response systems to detect new cases.
Institutions like Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) play a central role in monitoring the disease and coordinating national responses.
Preparedness efforts include Strengthening disease surveillance systems, improving laboratory testing capacity, Training healthcare workers in infection prevention and Promoting public awareness campaigns. However, effective preparedness also depends on community participation. Early reporting of symptoms and timely medical care can significantly reduce the spread of the disease which makes this the most important way.
Prevention and Public Awareness
Preventing mpox requires both individual and community-level action. Key preventive measures include avoiding close contact with infected individuals, practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with wild animals that may carry the virus, using protective equipment when caring for infected persons, seeking medical care when symptoms appear
Public health education plays a critical role in helping communities recognize symptoms early and respond appropriately.
Conclusion
Mpox may not dominate headlines every year, but its reappearance in different parts of the world underscores the importance of vigilance. Awareness, early detection, and strong public health systems remain the most effective tools for controlling outbreaks.
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its health infrastructure and surveillance capacity, community awareness will remain equally important. When individuals understand how diseases spread and seek medical attention early, they play a vital role in protecting their communities.
Staying informed and proactive today can help prevent larger outbreaks tomorrow.