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Adeleke orders reactivation of emergency response centre
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered immediate reactivation of the state’s emergency response centre, following outbreak of diphtheria in some parts of the state and death of a six-year-old child. He also launched contact tracing and immediate treatment of infected victims identified in the outbreak.
According to spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, the directive was issued after a situation report from the state’s Ministry of Health.
“I have directed that the state’s emergency response centre be reactivated. As a matter of urgency, the confirmed case at Osogbo is to be immediately followed up with contact tracing to ascertain status of those who had been in contact with the victim.
“Additionally, emergency treatment must be made available to the infected. We are in touch with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for exchange of information and technical support. I want to assure the people that proactive steps are being taken to nip in the bud any widespread escalation of the outbreak.
“Our people must be vigilant and observe precautions the Ministry of Health will soon be issuing. We must never forget to immunise our children and wards. The government is on top of the medical development,” the statement noted.
The ministry had earlier briefed the governor on the recent resurgence of diphtheria in the state, informing him that a suspected diphtheria patient aged six years was said to have developed the signs and symptoms on June 25, 2023 and died of the infection on July 7.
According to the ministry, detailed case investigation, contact tracing, line listing, follow-up and active case search in the community of the index case and retroactive case search at the health facilities within the community are ongoing.
Meanwhile, as a follow up to the governor’s directive, the ministry has embarked on production and distribution of handbills, posters and billboards, training of health workers on case definitions and infection prevention,, among others.
The ministry, therefore, advised members of the public to ensure children and wards are fully vaccinated, avoid crowded environment, consult doctors in case of symptoms and eat fruits and vegetables.
