The Monday 19 August, 2024 edition of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were two presentations made by the Subject Experts on Indian Sub-Continent and West Africa Including Equatorial Guinea.
The first presentation by Brig Gen WD Nasiru subject expert on Indian Sub-Continent focused his presentation on how MPOX Virus Detected in Pakistan, Days after WHO Declared it a Global Health Emergency. On 16 August 2024, the Hindustan Times reported that the Mpox virus had been detected in Pakistan. This discovery occurred just two days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency amid increasing cases of the disease in Africa. According to the health department in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan has identified 3 cases of the Mpox virus, formerly known as the monkey pox virus, as reported by the news agency Reuters on Friday, 16 August 2024.
The initial detection of Mpox in Pakistan involved patients who had traveled from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the DG of Health Services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2 patients have been confirmed to be infected with the virus, meanwhile, the third patient’s samples have been sent to the National Health Institute in Islamabad for confirmation. All 3 patients are currently under quarantine. Meanwhile, Sweden has also reported a case of the new Mpox variant. Bloomberg reported that the individual contracted the virus during a stay in a region of Africa where the new strain is spreading. Since the current outbreak began in January 2023, there have been 27,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, mainly among children, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria Brig Gen WD Nasiru noted that, the advent of Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, represents a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Ortho-poxvirus genus, the same genus as the variola virus that causes smallpox. While the disease is not as deadly as smallpox, it has gained increasing attention due to its potential to cause outbreaks with significant health implications. In recent years, Nigeria has seen a rise in Mpox cases, necessitating a closer examination of its transmission, preventive measures, and treatment options. Mpox is a viral disease that was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, hence the name “monkeypox.” The first human case of Mpox was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified efforts to eliminate smallpox (World Health Organization, 2023).
The virus responsible for Mpox is an ortho-poxvirus, and it is closely related to the viruses that cause smallpox and cowpox. The disease manifests with symptoms similar to smallpox but is generally less severe. The clinical presentation of Mpox includes fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph nodes, back pain, myalgia (muscle aches), and intense asthenia (lack of energy). The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. Mpox is primarily a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. In Nigeria, the primary animal reservoirs of the monkey pox virus include rodents and primates. Human-to-human transmission, however, is also possible and occurs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated materials such as bedding (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
The virus can also be transmitted via respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact. Similarly, the risk factors for Mpox transmission in Nigeria include interaction with wildlife, particularly in rural areas where people are more likely to come into contact with potential animal reservoirs. Human-to-human transmission has been documented in households, healthcare settings, and during funerals where individuals may handle the body of a deceased person infected with Mpox. The resurgence of Mpox in Nigeria has been linked to several factors, including deforestation, urbanization, and the decrease in immunity against orthopoxviruses following the cessation of smallpox vaccination campaigns (Ogoina et al., 2019).
He recommended that the FGN should enhance the current surveillance systems by integrating digital health technologies for real-time monitoring of Mpox cases. This include improving data collection and analysis to quickly identify and respond to outbreaks and also ensure the availability of Mpox vaccines and treatments, prioritizing high-risk populations such as healthcare workers and residents of outbreak-prone areas. Collaborating with international health organizations to secure vaccine supplies would be crucial.
Similarly, the second presentation by Maj Gen OO Adeleke (Rtd) subject expert on West Africa including Equatorial Guinea centered his presentation on how Burkina Faso Has its Own Atomic Energy Agency. Azernews reported on the 15 Aug 24 that the Government of Burkina Faso, chaired by President Ibrahim Traore, has adopted a resolution on the establishment of an atomic energy agency in the country. The government document defines the provisions concerning the competence and rules of operation of the Burkini Atomic Energy Agency (BAAE). According to Traore, the creation of the BAAE “will ensure the energy independence of Burkina Faso, the industrialization of the country and facilitate access to electricity throughout the country.” At the end of July this year, the Government of Burkina Faso adopted a bill granting privileges and immunities to experts and officials of the IAEA, whom the country will receive during the construction of its nuclear power plant. According to BIA, Burkina Faso plans to build a nuclear power plant by 2030 to meet the growing demand for electricity, which is expected to triple in a few years.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Maj Gen OO Adeleke stressed out that Nigeria is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but it does not have its own atomic energy agency. However, it has a National Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), which is responsible for regulating and supervising the use of nuclear energy in Nigeria. The NNRA is also responsible for ensuring that Nigeria complies with international nuclear safety and security standards. Nigeria also has a number of research reactors and other nuclear facilities, including: The Nigerian Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, The Nigerian Nuclear Energy Programme (NNEP) at the Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD) in Ile-Ife, The National Institute for Nuclear Physics (NINP) at the University of Ibadan. These facilities are used for a variety of purposes, including research, education, and medical applications.
In addition, Nigeria has the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, (NAEC), created by Act 46 of 1976 (Cap N91 LFN, 2004). It is the national focal agency charged with the responsibility for the promotion of the development of atomic energy and for all matters relating to the peaceful use of atomic energy as well as to develop the framework and technical pathway to explore, exploit and harness atomic energy for peaceful applications in all its ramifications for the socio-economic development of Nigeria in conformity with the policies of the Federal Government. This is in furtherance of FG’s policy to increase as well as diversify the national electricity generation base beyond the traditional sources of gas, oil and hydro to include nuclear and the renewable sources, NAEC is vested with the mandate to develop and implement the national nuclear power roadmap for the deployment of nuclear power plants (NPPs) so as to realize base-load and clean electricity generation in the country.
He recommended that, the Federal Government of Nigerian should take urgent steps for the establishment of a nuclear power plant in the country and also NAEC should ensure the speedy implementation of plans for the establishment of a nuclear power plant through: Partnering with experienced international companies, Leveraging financing options (e.g., public-private partnerships), Developing a comprehensive risk management plan and Ensuring compliance with international safety standards.