16th October 2023

Researchers from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) have teamed up with multiple partners for a new project to study mpox in Nigeria. Since it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017, the mpox virus has caused numerous outbreaks globally. This research aims to increase understanding of how it spreads and affects communities in Nigeria. 

NCDC, alongside partners including the UK-PHRST, the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford and stakeholders in Lagos and Rivers States, launched the collaborative project at an event in Abuja on 16 October 2023. Distinguished guests included senior national and state representatives from collaborating stakeholders and partners across Nigeria and from the UK. 

The co-created research project – titled “Epidemiological and clinical investigation of mpox in Nigeria: A multi-disciplinary research project to inform case management and outbreak prevention and control” - will help address the current significant gaps in clinical and epidemiological knowledge of the virus in Nigeria. Its findings have the potential to not only strengthen detection, prevention, response, and control in Nigeria, but also inform practice in other countries across the world where mpox is endemic.

Following the launch of the research project, the UK-PHRST will continue to support Nigerian partners in the co-ordination and implementation of the study, lab capacity strengthening and data analysis. 

Photo credit: Nigeria CDC

Professor Gwenda Hughes, co-project lead, Deputy Director for Research for UK-PHRST, and Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at LSHTM said:

“The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team is delighted to be part of this exciting collaboration between Nigeria Centre for Disease Control 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 of 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.  Ultimately, 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.”

Read the full NCDC press release.

This research project is fully funded with UK aid by the UK Department of Health and Social Care via UK-PHRST research funds.