Emerging Infectious Diseases (Sep 2024)

Mpox Epidemiology and Risk Factors, Nigeria, 2022

  • Dimie Ogoina,
  • Mahmmod Muazu Dalhat,
  • Ballah Akawu Denue,
  • Mildred Okowa,
  • Nneka Marian Chika-Igwenyi,
  • Sebastine Oseghae Oiwoh,
  • Ekaete Alice Tobin,
  • Hakeem Abiola Yusuff,
  • Anastacia Okwudili Ojimba,
  • Umenzekwe Chukwudi Christian,
  • John-Tunde Aremu,
  • Simji Samuel Gomerep,
  • Kambai Lalus Habila,
  • Sati Klein Awang,
  • Olukemi Adekanmbi,
  • Michael Iroezindu,
  • Asukwo Onukak,
  • Olanrewaju Falodun,
  • Mogaji Sunday,
  • Simon Mafuka Johnson,
  • Abimbola Olaitan,
  • Chizaram Onyeaghala,
  • Datonye Alasia,
  • Juliet Mmerem,
  • Uche Unigwe,
  • Vivian Kwaghe,
  • Mukhtar Abdulmajid Adeiza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3009.240135
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 9
pp. 1799 – 1808

Abstract

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To investigate epidemiology of and risk factors for laboratory-confirmed mpox during the 2022 outbreak in Nigeria, we enrolled 265 persons with suspected mpox. A total of 163 (61.5%) were confirmed to have mpox; 137 (84.0%) were adults, 112 (68.7%) male, 143 (87.7%) urban/semi-urban dwellers, 12 (7.4%) self-reported gay men, and 3 (1.8%) female sex workers. Significant risk factors for adults were sexual and nonsexual contact with persons who had mpox, as well as risky sexual behavior. For children, risk factors were close contact with an mpox-positive person and prior animal exposure. Odds of being mpox positive were higher for adults with HIV and lower for those co-infected with varicella zoster virus (VZV). No children were HIV-seropositive; odds of being mpox positive were higher for children with VZV infection. Our findings indicate mpox affects primarily adults in Nigeria, partially driven by sexual activity; childhood cases were driven by close contact, animal exposure, and VZV co-infection.

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