U.S did not spread monkeypox in Nigeria – U.S embassy

The United States ambassador said the recent outbreak of monopoly in Nigeria has no link to the North American country.

Information Specialist in the U.S. Public Relations Section Consulate General, Temitayo Famutimi, said the statement was issued in response to allegations that the U.S. government he is using certain laboratories under his control to spread the monopoly on Nigeria.

The ambassador said the US government continued to support Nigerian health authorities with technical assistance and support to deal with outbreaks of diseases such as COIVD-19 and monopoly, among other things, adding that sponsors had requested the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate these laboratories.

The statement read as follows;

U.S.-Nigeria Collaboration on Infectious Disease Threats

The latest misleading posts on social media are incorrectly predicting the origin of the current monopoly outbreak, and it is said that the WHO has called for an investigation into the so-called “U.S.-controlled laboratories.” in Nigeria.

Such reports are false. There is no justification for any allegations regarding the use of Nigerian-assisted research facilities by the U.S. in spreading monkey. In addition, there are no “U.S.-controlled” laboratories. in Nigeria.

These lies undermined the work of the United States, in close cooperation with Nigerian and international partners, which worked together in public health, including disease screening, diagnosis, prevention, and control.

The collaborative work between Nigeria and the United States has provided opportunities for technical assistance in capacity building, equipment, supplies / consumables, and financial support for key public health programs, hospitals and laboratories. All of this has a profound effect on the prevention and reduction of disease outbreaks worldwide.

Monkeypox is not a new disease, nor is it similar to Nigeria or this region, as it was first discovered in 1970 in the DRC. As we work together to curb its spread, export cases have been reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other parts of the world.

The United States Government continues to support and work closely with the Nigerian government in responding to the outbreak.

Through our joint intervention, U.S. government institutions operating in Nigeria (including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Program) and its partners support both national and state laboratories with assistance technical and support.

These laboratories are Nigerian, and support for the U.S. enables them to provide essential services for the benefit of the community and the lives of Nigerian citizens.

Most importantly, our support of laboratories across the country extends to quality improvements that ensure they have the appropriate biosafety standards and existing environmental safety requirements.

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We will continue to work with the Nigerian government on the global monkey outbreak and the COVID-19 outbreak and strengthen Nigerian support in other areas we have proudly shared over the years, such as HIV control, TB eradication, malaria eradication, prevention. of vaccine-preventable diseases, and of improving food and nutrition.

Temitayo Famutimi

Information Specialist

Public Affairs (PAS)

U.S. Consulate General