THE CAMP STUDY’S STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO THE AFRICA CDC AND WHO 2024 DECLARATIONS OF MPOX AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
The Mpox virus has re-emerged intermittently since it was first identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, eventually spreading globally. Two distinct clades of this virus, Clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and Clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb), have been identified, with Clade I primarily affecting Central Africa and Clade II prevalent in West Africa, including Nigeria. Both clades have been linked to severe illnesses and fatalities. In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of Mpox was caused by the clade IIb strain. Nigeria recorded the second highest number of Mpox cases, with over 900 total cases reported including nine fatalities, underscoring the significant impact of the virus in the country https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global/..
In response to the re-emergence of the virus in 2022, the Canadian-African Monkeypox (CAMP) Project was initiated. This project represents a concerted effort between Canadian and Nigerian research teams to understand the transmission dynamics, therapeutic options, and vaccination strategies for Mpox in both countries.
The Nigerian arm of the CAMP project, which includes teams from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), University of Ilorin, Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation University (MGIC) and Slum & Rural Health Initiative (SRHIN) is focused on three key components:
In addition, the CAMP study team is expanding community awareness and education initiatives to reach remote and local areas, aiming to curtail further spread of mpox. Given the zoonotic nature of the virus, CAMP research on animal testing will be prioritized, along with educating animal handlers on protective measures, as they remain major recipients of transmission and key to controlling the transmission. The study’s expansion will involve close collaboration with Nigerian health policymakers, as well as program managers and practitioners, including clinician networks within the Nigeria Infectious Disease Society (NIDS), focal points in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), along with strategic engagement with media outlets to ensure accurate public communication and awareness. This collaboration will not only ensure that efforts to mitigate the virus’ spread are effective and encompass the entire nation but also facilitate the development of a coordinated response strategy that integrates surveillance, treatment, and prevention measures. .
Given the current situation, our primary funders, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), have also expressed their willingness to provide additional funding to support the CAMP Mpox study, ensuring that we have the necessary resources to expand our efforts and address this public health emergency.
Signed: CAMP Leadership
In response to the re-emergence of the virus in 2022, the Canadian-African Monkeypox (CAMP) Project was initiated. This project represents a concerted effort between Canadian and Nigerian research teams to understand the transmission dynamics, therapeutic options, and vaccination strategies for Mpox in both countries.
The Nigerian arm of the CAMP project, which includes teams from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), University of Ilorin, Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation University (MGIC) and Slum & Rural Health Initiative (SRHIN) is focused on three key components:
- Research Component I: The Mpox prospective observational co-hort study (MPOCS) to assess the burden of Mpox and Mpox virus infection, and transmission dynamics.
- Research Component II: Investigate the spillback of Mpox virus into animals from Mpox patients and conduct surveillance of MPXV in a random sample of stored sera of various animals.
- Research Component III: Formative research on community willingness to accept vaccination in the prevention of human Mpox in Nigeria.
In addition, the CAMP study team is expanding community awareness and education initiatives to reach remote and local areas, aiming to curtail further spread of mpox. Given the zoonotic nature of the virus, CAMP research on animal testing will be prioritized, along with educating animal handlers on protective measures, as they remain major recipients of transmission and key to controlling the transmission. The study’s expansion will involve close collaboration with Nigerian health policymakers, as well as program managers and practitioners, including clinician networks within the Nigeria Infectious Disease Society (NIDS), focal points in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), along with strategic engagement with media outlets to ensure accurate public communication and awareness. This collaboration will not only ensure that efforts to mitigate the virus’ spread are effective and encompass the entire nation but also facilitate the development of a coordinated response strategy that integrates surveillance, treatment, and prevention measures. .
Given the current situation, our primary funders, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), have also expressed their willingness to provide additional funding to support the CAMP Mpox study, ensuring that we have the necessary resources to expand our efforts and address this public health emergency.
Signed: CAMP Leadership
Bridging Borders, Saving Lives: Nigerian-Canadian Partnership Against Monkeypox
Our project brings together Nigerian and Canadian researchers in a collaborative effort to understand and combat Monkeypox (Mpox) transmission, therapeutics, and vaccination strategies. With key partners including the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Slum and Rural Health Initiative Nigeria (SRHIN), and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), we are dedicated to comprehensive research across three essential components:
Clinical and Laboratory Component
Developing the Mpox prospective observational cohort study (MPOCS) to assess infection burden, transmission dynamics, and trial readiness.
Community Component
Exploring community acceptance of Mpox vaccination to prevent disease transmission and enhance public health.
Animal Component
Studying the spillback of Mpox virus (MPXV) into animals and surveillance of MPXV in stored sera samples.
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