Nigeria’s Missed Opportunity: How Failing to Act on Mpox Exposes Gaps in Public Health Preparedness

Had Nigeria learnt anything from epidemics or pandemics?

The outbreak of monkeypox, now rebranded as Mpox, should have prompted Nigerian authorities to take decisive actions, but their lack of urgency exposes troubling gaps in public health preparedness. Despite its reappearance, no significant research has been undertaken, according to the Nigerian Academy of Science. This is a critical misstep, considering mpox is a re-emerging infectious disease that requires swift and proactive measures.

The Reeling Concerns

One of the primary reasons for concern is that mpox is no longer confined to isolated communities. It has the potential to spread rapidly in densely populated areas, especially where healthcare systems are underfunded. As of 2023, there had been confirmed cases in 35 states across Nigeria, but comprehensive nationwide strategies for containment are still lacking. Health experts warn that Nigeria’s delayed response echoes earlier crises like the Ebola outbreak, where delays cost lives.

Furthermore, Nigeria’s insufficient investment in disease surveillance systems means outbreaks like mpox often catch authorities off-guard. “We should be learning from past outbreaks,” said Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, former head of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Yet, funding for research on zoonotic diseases remains minimal. The lack of research puts millions at risk, as scientists struggle to gather enough data to understand transmission patterns and develop vaccines.

In terms of healthcare infrastructure, Nigeria continues to struggle with limited resources. Hospitals are overcrowded, with staff often lacking the necessary protective equipment to treat infectious patients safely. The risk is especially high in rural areas, where medical facilities are severely understaffed and under-resourced. This, combined with poor public awareness about mpox symptoms, contributes to underreporting of cases, making it even harder to control the virus.

Another major issue is the unregulated wildlife trade, which has been linked to the spread of zoonotic diseases like mpox. Without stricter laws, the potential for future outbreaks remains. This is a significant public health oversight, considering that zoonotic diseases account for over 60% of all emerging infectious diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The international response has been markedly different. Countries in Europe and North America, which saw an unexpected rise in mpox cases, quickly initiated research to understand its spread and created public awareness campaigns.

In contrast, Nigeria’s public health authorities have been slow to act, with no large-scale research initiatives or educational programs for citizens.

One of the key lessons from other countries is the need for public health education. When the mpox outbreak hit the UK, information on symptoms, transmission, and prevention measures were immediately disseminated. In Nigeria, by contrast, public knowledge remains low, allowing myths and misinformation to spread. This lack of awareness could result in unchecked community transmission.

Moreover, the global nature of mpox now places international scrutiny on Nigeria’s response. As one of the endemic countries, the world expects Nigeria to take the lead in mpox research and containment efforts. However, with no significant research or proactive steps in place, Nigeria risks falling behind in both national and global disease management.

Nigeria’s failure to act swiftly on mpox could have devastating long-term consequences. Public health experts agree that without a stronger focus on research, education, and infrastructure development, the country will remain vulnerable to future outbreaks, placing millions of lives at risk.

*Written by Paul.M