Following the confirmed two cases of Monkeypox, Osun State Commissioner for Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, has urged residents of the state not to panic as the administration of Ademola Adeleke is prepared to do everything morally and officially possible to stem its tide henceforth.
The Commissioner gave the assurance during a meeting of the Monkeypox Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Pillar held at the Ministry of Health in Osogbo.
He assured the public that the state government is actively managing the situation, as M-pox is a preventable disease.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, in his remarks during the meeting thanked all partners for their support just as assured that the Governor of Osun state is committed to sustaining the state’s proactive measures.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, revealed at the meeting that a total of 47 suspected cases were recorded from EPI Week 1 to Week 34 across 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and sent to the laboratory, with two confirmed cases, both involving male patients aged 5 and 25 from Ilesa West.
Dr Adeagbo also outlined the actions taken so far, to include the deployment of Rapid Response Team (RRT) members to the field, advocacy and sensitization efforts in the Ogbon Alafia community and other places.
The Director of Public Health, Dr. Akeem Bello, affirmed that jingles on radio and television have been aired on various electronic media stations, while health officials have also been carrying out public enlightenment and sensitization exercises to keep people in the know about the disease.
In their contributions, the State Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Ojediran Oluwatoyin, and the State Coordinator for UNICEF, Mr. Israel Solomon, commended the state government’s proactive steps.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle described the two confirmed cases in Osun as a wake-up call. He urged all residents to fulfill their responsibilities.