In September 2017,when Nigeria saw a return of monkeypox, officials reported 88 total confirmed cases, more than any year since.

Africa
Image/Robert Herriman

In recent months, the the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported an uptick in monkeypox cases in the country.

Officials reported an additional 21 confirmed cases the week ending June 25. This bring the country total to 62 since the beginning of the year.

In addition, 204 suspected monkeypox cases and one fatality have also been reported.

This week, Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Ifedayo Adetifa warned that if the current trajectory continued or was sustained, Nigeria might match or exceed the peak number of cases seen in 2017.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that occurs throughout remote parts of Central and West Africa, often near tropical rain forests. Fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion are followed by a rash. Patients are usually ill for 2–4 weeks. Monkeypox is fatal in as many as 10% of people who get it.