Itunuoluwa Maria Soniregun, Speaker of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, has written an open letter to regional and international leaders, urging them to take immediate action to prevent the spread of monkeypox across West Africa and beyond.

The letter, addressed to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, ECOWAS Commission, African Union Commission, and Ministries of Health in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlights the severity of the outbreak and the need for swift action.

Soniregun notes that the mortality rate of monkeypox can reach up to 10% if left untreated and recalls the devastating impact of past pandemics, such as the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

She calls for enhanced measures, including:

– Airport screening and testing
– Public awareness campaigns
– Strengthening health infrastructure
– Regional cooperation and international support
– Prioritizing vulnerable populations
– Addressing misinformation

Soniregun emphasizes the need for increased funding, technical assistance, and coordination with traditional leaders and community-based organizations to combat the outbreak.

The letter concludes with a call to action, stating that the future of the continent depends on immediate and decisive action to prevent a pandemic and protect citizens.