On Wednesday, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, announced that there have been no confirmed cases of Mpox across the state’s twenty local government areas.
Coker reported that by August 18, the state had documented 151 suspected cases of Mpox, though none were confirmed as positive.
In a statement issued to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Commissioner emphasized that the state has maintained rigorous surveillance since the global outbreak in 2022.
“Mpox is a significant public health concern, and the World Health Organization has identified outbreaks of a more virulent strain in some countries.
Several states in Nigeria have also reported Mpox cases,” she noted.
“The Ogun State Ministry of Health is fully aware of this public health threat and has implemented appropriate measures to prevent, detect, and respond to it as necessary.”
She added, “The last reported Mpox case in Ogun State was in May 2023, and there have been no confirmed cases since.
As of August 18, 2024, our surveillance system has reported 151 suspected Mpox cases, but none have been confirmed.
However, 53 cases have been confirmed as Chickenpox.”
“We are aware of the Chickenpox cases in the state and have already put necessary measures in place.”
Public awareness campaigns on Mpox, Chickenpox, and other priority diseases are ongoing through established channels, she assured.
“There is no cause for alarm,” she stated.
Coker explained that the symptoms of Mpox include rashes filled with pus or fluid, which can appear on various parts of the body, including the hands, face, feet, and genitals, as well as headaches, fever, muscle and back aches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
She urged residents to avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms, especially those with rashes or skin lesions, as the disease is highly contagious.
To further protect against the disease, Coker advised residents to maintain good hand hygiene by regularly washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
She also recommended wearing protective gear such as gloves and masks when caring for someone with suspected or confirmed Mpox and avoiding contact with animals that may carry the virus, such as rodents and primates, particularly in areas where the disease is known to be present.
Additionally, she emphasized the importance of thoroughly cooking meat before consumption.
Finally, she called on residents to report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
