News and Resources
Monkeypox Public Outreach and Sample Collection Training Conducted for 120 Healthcare Workers
A group of healthcare workers who recently completed training for Monkeypox outbreak detection and public outreach efforts
The U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa/Nigeria (USAMRD-A/N) with funding from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has trained 120 Nigerian human and animal healthcare workers in Monkeypox (MPX) Public Outreach and Sample Collection.
The program provided comprehensive training for participants on generalized MPX outbreak detection and public outreach efforts per international best practices and national reporting guidelines. The trainees were drawn from across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, while the training sessions took place in Lagos and Abuja.
Facilitators at the Monkeypox training pose for a photograph
The training was provided in partnership with the DTRA Biological Threat Reduction Program, Leidos, Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI).
It focused on enhancing the ability of trainees to recognize symptoms and signs of Monkeypox, building their capacities to perform safe sample collection/management for Monkeypox diagnosis, and improving their knowledge and proficiency in infection prevention and control.
Participants also received trainings on improving animal surveillance, sample and case management, and enhancing risk communication in public emergencies. Finally, the trainees developed the capabilities for the transfer of acquired competencies to their regional counterparts.
Participants and facilitators at the Monkeypox Training in Lagos
Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic infection caused by the MPX virus. It is endemic in the rainforest regions of Central and West Africa. Since 1970, several MPX outbreaks and re-emergence were reported.