From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government has confirmed that the state has recorded two cases of Monkeypox in Ilesa West Local Government of the State.
The state Commissioner of Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, disclosed this in a bulletin made available to journalists in the state, on Monday.
Akintola who disclosed that he got the information from the state epidemiologist, noted that necessary steps would be taken to prevent further spread of the disease.
He said, “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.”
He explained that the state has only seen two cases in the last 34 weeks, compared to hundreds in other states, stating that an awareness campaign has been initiated across five radio stations, which has greatly contributed to managing the outbreak.
“There is no cause for alarm. Our officers are fully prepared, and just as we prevented cholera, we will also prevent the spread of M-pox.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, explained that a total of 47 suspected cases were taken across 13 local government areas and taken to the laboratory, with two confirmed cases involving a 5-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man from Ilesa West.