Monkeypox Outbreak Confirmed in Osun State, Nigeria

The Osun State government in Nigeria has confirmed two cases of monkeypox, a rare and preventable disease, in the Ilesa West Local Government Area of the state. The cases were confirmed on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital, by the Osun State Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola.

According to Akintola, the state government is actively managing the situation and has activated the Monkeypox Emergency Operations Centre to prevent the spread of the virus. The commissioner emphasized that monkeypox is a preventable disease and that the state is fully prepared to handle the outbreak.

The confirmed cases involve two male patients, aged 5 and 25, who are currently receiving treatment. The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, revealed that a total of 47 suspected cases were recorded from EPI Week 1 to Week 34 across 13 Local Government Areas. However, only two cases have been confirmed, both of which were linked to the state hospital in Ilesa West.

The state government has deployed Rapid Response Team members to the field, conducted advocacy and sensitization efforts in the affected community, and carried out community active case search and retroactive health facility search. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, assured that the governor is committed to sustaining the state’s proactive measures.

In their contributions, the State Coordinator for the World Health Organization, WHO, Dr. Ojediran Oluwatoyin, and the State Coordinator for UNICEF, Israel Solomon, emphasized the importance of continued sensitization efforts across all local governments and strengthening surveillance and community engagement.

The state government had previously alerted residents to the disease last week, advising them to be vigilant and report any suspicious symptoms to the appropriate authorities. With no vaccine currently available in the country, the state’s proactive measures are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.

Residents of Osun State are advised to remain calm and follow the guidelines provided by the state government to prevent the spread of monkeypox.