The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), with partners, has launched a research project to improve Mpox public health response in Nigeria.
According to a statement on the NCDC website, the research project will be completed over two years and will cover thematic areas such as the clinical characteristics, natural history of Mpox disease, and essential epidemiological parameters and factors associated with infection and transmission.
It will also encompass the experience of people infected with Mpox and those close to them, with two work packages: the clinical study, which will help address knowledge gaps in the clinical understanding of the virus and the natural history of infection, and the one health study, which will also help increase understanding of the dynamics of infection and transmission in the Nigerian context.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said, “Today, we begin the journey of knowledge, unity, and determination. In partnership with dedicated researchers and institutions, we set out to unravel the unknowns of the Mpox virus through bridging clinical and One Health studies.
“This project symbolises our unwavering commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians and, in turn, the world, embracing the power of research and the strength of collaboration. As we work together, may we move closer to a world free from the threat of muck that ensures the well-being of generations to come.”
Also, the co-project lead from the NCDC, Dr Chinwe Lucia Ochu, said, “The Mpox outbreak in Nigeria continues to have a profound impact on lives, particularly among key populations, emphasising the vulnerability of marginalised communities.
“The NCDC played a pivotal role in mitigating this crisis. This collaboration underscores the critical importance of surveillance and understanding transmission within the One Health space, where collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health is imperative to protect our global well-being.”
Prof. Gwenda Hughes, co-project lead, Deputy Director for Research from the UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), and Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said, “The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) is delighted to be part of this exciting collaboration between NCDC and other partners to better understand the clinical characteristics, pattern of infection, and spread of Mpox in Nigeria—a disease that has greatly affected Nigerian communities, especially in recent years.
“The UK-PHRST will support Nigerian colleagues to answer important scientific questions through this extensive research programme and will also help deliver training for local laboratory staff and field teams.
Our microbiology specialists have already provided lab equipment and shared expertise to help build local diagnostic capabilities for Mpox.
Through co-creation and by taking a partner-led approach with our Nigerian colleagues, our aim is to support improved case and contact management and inform the development of effective control measures for Mpox both in Nigeria and globally.”
Dr Jake Dunning, co-project lead of the clinical characterization study and senior research fellow at the Pandemic Sciences Institute within the University of Oxford, said, “Understanding the features of an emerging infectious disease and how it spreads within a population is essential to controlling it and to optimising the care of patients with the infection.
“For Nigerian Mpox outbreaks, Nigerian scientists have done much in this area over the past six years. This research collaboration will not only inform Mpox prevention and response efforts in Nigeria but will be of benefit to global health too, as Mpox is not one country’s problem, and we are likely to be more successful when we work together.”
“This extends to academic partnerships and opportunities, and I’m pleased that I will be co-supervising a DPhil (PhD) student who, once appointed, will work on these exciting and important Mpox studies in Nigeria.”
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