By Cheta Enyoghasi
Two cases of monkeypox have been verified in Osun State.
According to government authorities, the two cases were confirmed in the Ilesa West Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the disease outbreak in Osogbo on Monday, Osun State Commissioner for Health Jola Akintola encouraged residents not to panic while assuring them that the state government is actively monitoring the issue, stressing that it is a disease that can be avoided.
At a meeting of the Monkeypox Emergency Operations Centre, EOC Pillar, held at the Ministry of Health in Osogbo, the commissioner 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.”
According to the commissioner, in contrast to hundreds of cases in other states, Osun has seen only two incidents in the last 34 weeks.
He added: “There is no cause for alarm. Our officers are fully prepared, and just as we prevented cholera, we will also prevent the spread of monkey pox,”
Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the governor’s special advisor on public health, gave the assurance that the governor is dedicated to maintaining the state’s preventive measures.
