The current outbreak of the virus "monkey pox" in Nigeria, which has spread to at least seven states in Nigeria. A total of three major recorded human case of the virus occurred in the year 1977 and 1978 according to the centre for disease control, CDC.

The first recorded case of the virus occurred in Congo in the year 1970, then 1971 in Cote d'ivorie (one case) and two cases were recorded in Nigeria. Then in 1976, there were two recorded cases in Cameroon and again in Nigeria, in 1978, one case was recorded, since then, monkey pox has remained a disease of Western and central African countries, except in the year 2003 where 47 cases were recorded and reported in the US, which is the first record outside Africa.

The current outbreak in Nigeria is of West African origin and associated with milder disease, fewer deaths, and limited human-to-human transmission. Studies have shown that the monkey pox virus can cause a fatal illness in humans and, although it is similar to human smallpox which has been eradicated, it is much milder.. sources and preventions