A virologist, Dr. Solomon Chollom has advocated for a more proactive approach to addressing the increasing incidences of zoonotic infections, particularly the recent Mpox outbreak in Nigeria.
In an interview with Science Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, Chollom responded to questions about the viral transmission of Mpox in the country. He pointed out that the current response is not holistic, as it focuses primarily on human-to-human transmission.
“The response is again not holistic and limited to human-to-human transmission,” Chollom remarked, emphasising the need for a broader strategy that encompasses all elements in the transmission cycle’s ecosystem.
He urged the country to adopt a more aggressive approach that targets wildlife clusters, especially in states with high incidences of the disease. “This will help us determine the transmission foci and close in on them,” he said.
Chollom also highlighted the importance of identifying specific sources of primary infection within the country. “By tracing the movements of affected individuals one or two weeks before they exhibit symptoms, health officials can pinpoint locations where they may have been exposed to infected animals, such as game reserves visited by tourists or forests frequented by farmers or hunters.
“Containing the virus within the animal ecosystem is crucial,” he continued. “By disrupting the transmission cycle at its source, we can focus on preventing the virus from spreading among humans.”
With several Nigerian states reporting increased cases of zoonotic diseases, Chollom called for an enhanced and aggressive response, which he sees as a necessary step toward managing and eventually eliminating these viral threats. He also stressed the importance of public awareness and collaboration between health authorities and wildlife management teams.
“If we can identify and contain these viruses at their source, particularly within wildlife clusters, we will be better positioned to protect both the human population and our wildlife,” he stated.
Science Nigeria reports that Nigerian authorities have heightened surveillance at key entry points and placed nine states, including Lagos and Abuja, under close watch following an outbreak of the Mpox virus in Africa.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is intensifying efforts to prevent the virus’s importation and spread, responding to a surge in cases across the continent. The Africa CDC recently reported 2,863 confirmed Mpox cases and 517 deaths in 13 countries this year, with 39 cases recorded in Nigeria.
The NCDC is distributing diagnostic tools, issuing public advisories, and considering vaccination for high-risk groups as a new, more virulent strain of the virus spreads. The Africa CDC has declared Mpox a public health emergency and is urging proactive containment measures.
