Ruth Semilore
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, announced on Wednesday that the state has not recorded any confirmed cases of Mpox across its twenty local government areas.
Coker reported that, as of August 18, the state had recorded 151 suspected cases of Mpox, but none had been confirmed as positive.
In a statement released to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Commissioner affirmed that the state has maintained a high level of surveillance since the global outbreak in 2022.
She stated,
“Mpox is a disease of public health importance, and the World Health Organisation has declared outbreaks of a more virulent strain in some countries. Some states in Nigeria have also reported outbreaks of Mpox.
“The Ogun State Ministry of Health is aware of this public health threat and has instituted appropriate measures to prevent it, detect it early, and respond as necessary.”
She added,
“The last case of Mpox in Ogun State was in May 2023, and no confirmed case has been reported in Ogun State to date. As of 18th August 2024, the state surveillance system has reported 151 suspected cases of Mpox, but none has been confirmed. However, 53 cases have been confirmed as Chickenpox.”
“We are aware of the Chickenpox cases in the state, and the necessary measures are already in place.”
Public sensitisation on Mpox, Chickenpox, and other priority diseases is ongoing through established platforms.
“Therefore, there is no need to panic,” she said.
Coker explained that the signs and symptoms of Mpox include rashes containing pus or fluid on any part of the body, including the hands, face, feet, and genitals, as well as headache, fever, muscle and back aches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and weakness.
The Commissioner urged residents to avoid close contact with individuals showing symptoms, particularly those with rashes or skin lesions, as the disease is highly contagious.
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To further protect against the disease, Coker advised residents to practice good hand hygiene by regularly washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
She also recommended wearing protective gear (gloves, masks) when caring for someone with suspected or confirmed Mpox and avoiding contact with animals that may harbour the virus, such as rodents and primates, especially in areas where the disease is known to occur. She also stressed the importance of ensuring that meat is thoroughly cooked before consumption.
Finally, she urged residents to report all suspected cases to the nearest health facility in the state.
