Monkeypox: Osun Assembly calls for urgent action

The Osun State House of Assembly Committee on health has brought before the floor of the House the matter of monkeypox disease discovered in the State.

The development was brought before the House under a matter of urgent public importance by Elizabeth Abioye, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, on Tuesday.

Abioye noted that the disease, if left unchecked in the State, could spread and result in a State-wide pandemic.

While calling for the attention of appropriate quarters across the State, she observed that the disease could be contracted in toilets and bathrooms.

She advised residents of the State to make use of their face masks and put on thick clothes for prevention.

Recall that on Monday, the Osun State Government confirmed the index case in Osun.

The index case was recorded in Iperindo, headquarters of Atakumosa East Local Government Area of the State.

Recall that another suspected case of monkeypox was also reported in the State capital, Osogbo on Monday.

It was gathered that a 14-year-old boy with monkeypox symptoms was brought to the State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo on Monday.

Hospital sources disclosed that the boy presented with a body full of rashes and sores and was subsequently admitted, while infectious disease experts and personnel from the Disease Surveillance Notification Unit attended to him.

The Commissioner, however, stated that it remained suspected until laboratory analysis confirmed that it is indeed a case of monkeypox.

The State government has not yet declared monkeypox a health emergency in the State.