Osun State has confirmed two cases of monkeypox in Ilesa West Local Government Area, sparking concerns among residents.
However, the state government has reassured citizens that it is actively managing the situation and urged them not to panic.
The Osun State Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola, emphasized that monkeypox is a preventable disease and that the state government is taking proactive measures to prevent its spread. “We successfully managed COVID-19 and prevented a cholera outbreak. Now, with two confirmed M-pox cases, the EOC has been activated, and stakeholders will meet every Monday to strategize on preventing the spread of the virus.”
Akintola disclosed that Osun has only seen two cases in the last 34 weeks, compared to hundreds in other states. “There is no cause for alarm. Our officers are fully prepared, and just as we prevented cholera, we will also prevent the spread of monkey pox.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, assured that the governor is committed to sustaining the state’s proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, provided a situation report on M-pox, revealing that a total of 47 suspected cases were recorded from EPI Week 1 to Week 34 across 13 Local Government Areas. “All 47 samples were sent to the laboratory, with two confirmed cases, both involving male patients aged 5 and 25 from Ilesa West.”
The State Coordinator for the World Health Organization, WHO, Dr. Ojediran Oluwatoyin, and the State Coordinator for UNICEF, Israel Solomon, emphasized the need for continued sensitization efforts across all
