Sodiq Ojuroungbe A recent paper by a group of dermatologists in Nigeria has raised concerns about the management of mpox, a re-emerging infectious disease that has spread to non-endemic regions worldwide The skin experts emphasised the significant role of dermatologists in the diagnosis and management of the infectious disease. According to the paper, authored by Sebastine Oiwoh, Ayesha Akinkugbe, Folakemi Cole-Adeife, Agarry Jacob, Dasetima Altraide, and Taofeek Salami, dermatologists have played a key role in the early detection, notification, and management of the monkeypox outbreak since its resurgence in Nigeria in 2017. The authors noted that the characteristic rash of monkeypox, its pattern of distribution and morphology, are essential for its clinical diagnosis.
They, however, noted that dermatologists are experts in the clinical recognition, description, and management of the cutaneous manifestations of the infection. Recently, the Africa Centre for Disease Control declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent. The outbreak has swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There is a serious and growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has now expanded outside the country. A new viral strain, which first emerged in September 2023, has, for the first time, been detected outside DRC. The World Health Organisation stressed that the emergence last year and rapid spread of .