The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has ordered the instant activation of the State Emergency Response Centre.
The directive was issued by the Governor following reviews of the renewed outbreak of Diphtheria infections in some components of Osun State.
The state authorities claimed the transfer was to curb the additional unfold of the an infection, launch contact tracing and deal with the contaminated residents.
Adeleke’s directive was issued after a scenario report from the Osun State Ministry of Health on the outbreak which has claimed one life at Osogbo with different suspected instances underneath testing.
In a press release signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Monday, the governor mentioned, “I have directed that the state emergency response be reactivated. As a matter of urgency, the confirmed case at Osogbo is to be immediately followed up with contact tracing to ascertain the status of those who had been in contact with the victim.
“Additionally, emergency treatment must be made available to the infected. We are in touch with the National Centre for Disease Control for the exchange of information and technical support. I want to assure our people that proactive steps are being taken to nip in the bud any widespread escalation of the outbreak.
“Our people must be vigilant and observe precautions the Ministry of Health will soon be issuing. We must never forget to immunize our children and wards. Your government is on top of this medical development”, Governor Adeleke assures.
Rasheed additionally revealed that the Osun Health Ministry had earlier briefed the Governor on the latest resurgence of diphtheria within the state, informing the state authorities {that a} suspected Diphtheria affected person aged 6 years was mentioned to have developed the signal and signs on June 25, 2023, and died of the an infection on July 7.
“According to the Ministry, detailed case investigation, contact tracing, line listing, follow up and active case search in the community of the index case and retroactive case search at the health facilities within the community are ongoing.
“Close contact (including health workers) of the index case were line listed, monitored and placed on medication.
“Knowledge attitude and perception form was administered to the household within the community, to access their knowledge about the disease.
“More sensitization was done at both community and the health facilities, as people were not conversant with the disease.
“As a follow-up to the Governor’s directive, the Ministry has embarked on a number of actions namely the production and distribution of handbills, posters and billboards.
”Training of well being staff on case definitions and Infection Prevention and Control of diphtheria; manufacturing and airing of jingle on Prevention of Diphtheria; coaching and retraining of well being staff on pattern assortment of diphtheria; improve the notice of immunization acceptability; constructing capability of LGA Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on case detection, pattern assortment, transportation and administration and danger communication of the illness ought to be intensified within the state and its environs for straightforward detection.
“The Ministry has further advised members of the public to ensure children and wards are fully vaccinated, avoid crowded environments, consult doctors in case of symptoms and eat fruits and vegetables.”
