In September 2017, at a teaching hospital in Bayelsa, Nigeria, an 11-year-old boy presented with a fever, rash, and lesions on his body. Dr. Dimie Ogoina, an infectious disease scientist and Chief Medical Director, suspected it could be something more serious than chickenpox, given the boy’s previous history with the illness. After further examination, Ogoina diagnosed the boy with monkeypox, a highly infectious disease causing skin rash and mucosal lesions.
This was a significant finding, as the last recorded case of monkeypox in Nigeria was nearly 40 years ago. The country was unprepared for the outbreak, leading to fear, stigma, and speculation within the hospital and community. Misconceptions and misinformation spread rapidly, with some patients refusing treatment due to spiritual beliefs or fear.
The situation escalated when more suspected cases emerged, requiring testing and confirmation from Dakar, Senegal. As the outbreak unfolded, Ogoina and his team faced numerous challenges, including the lack of testing facilities and isolation centers in Nigeria. The disease spread among people, with a new variant causing concerns of a widespread epidemic.
Despite facing pushback and criticism for his theories on sexual transmission of the virus, Ogoina’s findings were eventually confirmed during the 2022-2023 global outbreak. The disease was found to be sexually transmittable, affecting a different demographic than previously observed.
As mpox continues to pose a threat globally, particularly with the emergence of a new variant, health officials are on high alert. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, signaling the potential for significant outbreaks similar to Ebola and Zika. In regions like the DRC, where the virus is endemic, health workers are tackling the disease amidst challenging conditions, including ongoing conflict.