A medical expert, Ishaku Akyala, has called on the federal government to reactivate the presidential task force in response to the rising mpox cases across the country.

Mr Akyala, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, made the call in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja.

The expert explained the importance of a coordinated and proactive approach to prevent the spread of mpox and ensure a swift response to any outbreaks.

He drew attention to the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that a similar strategy is needed to prevent mpox from escalating into a national health emergency.

“The recent increase in mpox cases across several states highlights the urgency for immediate action to safeguard public health,” he said.

He said that the presidential task force, which was instrumental in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, could play a crucial role in curbing the spread of mpox.

“The reactivation of the COVID-19 task force could provide a structured and coordinated response to the mpox outbreak.

“The task force has the experience, resources, and personnel to manage such health emergencies, ensuring the government responds effectively and swiftly,” he said.

Mr Akyala highlighted the difficulties in accurately diagnosing mpox, especially in its early stages or in cases with atypical symptoms.

He said non-infectious skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis, eczema, or drug reactions, could sometimes mimic the rash of mpox, leading to potential misdiagnosis.

“Conditions like impetigo or secondary syphilis can also present with lesions similar to mpox, making it challenging to distinguish between them based on symptoms alone,” Mr Akyala said.

He emphasised the importance of laboratory testing, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to detect viral DNA for accurate diagnosis.

The expert urged the task force to adopt a more aggressive approach that went beyond addressing human-to-human transmission alone.

Also, he stressed the importance of training healthcare workers to recognise and manage Mpox, especially in regions where the disease is not commonly seen.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, established by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, coordinated Nigeria’s multi-sectoral efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has reported 48 mpox cases across 19 states and the FCT, with no deaths recorded,  according to the NCDC.

On August 27, Nigeria received 10,000 vaccine doses from the U.S. government to control the outbreak.

(NAN)