Mpox Epidemiology and Risk Factors, Nigeria, 2022

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Nigeria; animal exposure; epidemiology; monkeypox virus; mpox; predictors; risk factors; sexual transmission; varicella zoster virus; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Geographic distribution of sites in Nigeria participating in a study of epidemiology and risk factors for laboratory-confirmed mpox during the mpox outbreak, Nigeria, 2022. A total of 265 study participants were enrolled from all geopolitical zones of the country, across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria.