On Monday, the Osun State Government announced that two confirmed cases of monkeypox had been reported in Ilesa West Local Government Area. The affected individuals are both male, aged five and 25, and they are currently receiving treatment at the State Hospital in Ilesa West.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Mr. Jola Akinola, shared this information and urged residents not to panic, assuring them that the government is actively managing the situation. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Monkeypox Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) held in Osogbo, the state capital. The information was also released in a statement by the Ministry of Health’s Information Officer, Segilola Babalola.
During the meeting, Mr. Akinola said, “We successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic and prevented a cholera outbreak. Now, with these two confirmed cases of monkeypox (mpox), we have reactivated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). Stakeholders will convene every Monday to strategize on how to prevent the further spread of the virus.
“He reassured the public, stating, “There is no cause for alarm. Our health officers are fully prepared, and just as we prevented a cholera outbreak, we are confident in our ability to prevent the spread of monkeypox.
“Additionally, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Public Health, spoke at the meeting, expressing appreciation to the partners who have been supporting the state’s health initiatives. He emphasized that the governor is committed to maintaining proactive public health measures to manage the situation effectively.
Providing more details about the monkeypox outbreak in the state, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, reported that a total of 47 suspected cases had been recorded between Epidemiological (EPI) Week 1 and Week 34 across 13 Local Government Areas in the state. All 47 samples were sent to the laboratory for testing, with two cases confirmed both involving male patients from Ilesa West, aged 5 and 25.
Dr. Adeagbo outlined the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus. These actions include deploying Rapid Response Team members to the affected areas, conducting advocacy and sensitization efforts in the Ogbon Alafia community and at the residences of the confirmed cases, as well as undertaking active case searches in the community and retrospective health facility searches. The state government is committed to ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to contain the virus and prevent a wider outbreak.
