The Osun State Government has confirmed two cases of monkeypox within the state. This was disclosed on Monday by the Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola, during a meeting of the Monkeypox Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) pillar in Osogbo.
“The two cases were reported in Ilesa West Local Government Area,” said Mr Akintola.
Providing further details, the State Epidemiologist, Omolola Adeagbo, stated, “A total of 47 suspected cases were recorded from EPI Week 1 to Week 34 across 13 local government areas. Laboratory tests confirmed two cases, both involving male patients aged five and 25 from Ilesa West.”
In response to the situation, according to him, the government has deployed its Rapid Response Team (RRT) to the affected areas. “We have started sensitisation campaigns in the Ogbon Alafia community, conducted active case searches within the community, and carried out retroactive health facility searches,” Akintola added.
The commissioner assured residents that the state government is actively managing the situation. “M-pox is a preventable disease, and with the EOC activated, we have scheduled weekly meetings to strategise on preventing the virus’s spread,” he said.
Akintola, in his recent visit to the FCT, discussed the state’s situation with the State Epidemiologist, who noted, “Osun has recorded only two cases in the last 34 weeks, compared to hundreds in other states.” He further added that public awareness campaigns are being aired on five radio stations to keep residents informed.
“There is no cause for alarm,” Mr Akintola reassured. “Our officers are fully prepared, and just as we prevented cholera, we will also prevent the spread of M-pox.”
In their remarks, Ojediran Oluwatoyin, the state coordinator for the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Israel Solomon, the state coordinator for UNICEF, commended the proactive steps taken by the state government. They urged the government to continue sensitisation efforts across all local government areas, despite the absence of an M-pox vaccine in the country, and to strengthen surveillance and community engagement.
