Monkeypox: Oyo dedicates ward, says no reported case —Health Commissioner

Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, on Thursday, said the state had no reported case of Monkeypox, adding that disease surveillance officers were on an active search for any index case.

Speaking with Tribune Online, against the backdrop of the spread of the disease to some neighbouring states to Oyo, Adeduntan, said the state had a dedicated ward at the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, as part of preventive measures.

Furthermore, he urged the residents of the state to be of good hygiene and people of characteristic rash should immediately report to Ring Hospital for attention.

“There is no active case of monkeypox in Oyo state as at this minute. Our disease surveillance officers are on an active search for index cases. It is a disease surveillance officers are on an active search for indexed cases. It is a disease transmitted from monkeys to man and then man to man.”

“It is a viral disease and hence self-limiting. People with a characteristic rash should report immediately to Ring Road hospital where a dedicated ward has been assigned with a full range of medical support. Again, no reported case as of now,” Adeduntan said.

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In the same vein, the state House of Assembly had at Thursday’s plenary urged the state’s Ministry of Health to lead sensitisation campaigns on Monkeypox.

This charge followed a matter of urgent public importance by Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary and Justice, Honourable Olukayode Akande.

In his contribution, Minority Leader, Honourable Olagunju Ojo said the sensitisation should be taken to schools, especially in rural areas.

Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo also urged residents of the state to pay special attention to their personal hygiene to avert an outbreak of the disease in the state.