When was monkeypox first discovered in Nigeria?

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a smallpox disease occurred in colonies of monkeys bred for research, hence the name “monkeypox”. Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans. The natural host of the virus remains undefined. However, the disease has been reported in many animals.

It was first reported in 1958, in monkeys in the democratic republic of congo (DRC) and in humans in 1970, also in the DRC. Subsequently, the disease has been reported in many countries in West and Central Africa. The virus was first identified during an investigation into a smallpox-like disease among monkeys.