Diphtheria: Gov. Adeleke Orders Emergency Response

Following the outbreak of Diphtheria infections in some parts of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday, July 20, 2023, ordered the immediate activation of the State Emergency Response Centre to curb further spread, launch contact tracing and treat the infected residents.

This was as the governor assured the people of the state of the proactive steps being taken by his administration to nip in the bud any widespread escalation of the outbreak.

Adeleke’s directive was issued after a situation report from the state Ministry of Health on the outbreak which has claimed one life in Osogbo with other suspected cases undergoing tests.

He said; “I have directed that the state emergency response to 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 for exchange of information and technical support.

“Our people must be vigilant and observe precautions the Ministry of Health will soon be issuing. We must never forget to immunize our children and wards. Your government is on top of this medical development”, Adeleke said.

The Health Ministry had briefed the Governor on the recent resurgence of diphtheria in the state, saying that a suspected Diphtheria patient aged 6 years was said to have developed the sign and symptoms on June 25, 2023 and died of the infection on July 7.

According to the officials of the ministry, detailed case investigation, contact tracing, linelisting, 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.

As a follow up to the Governor’s directive, the Ministry has embarked on a number of action namely production and Distribution of handbills, posters and billboards; training of health workers on case definitions and Infection Prevention and Control of diphtheria; production and airing of jingle on Prevention of Diphtheria; training and retraining of health workers on sample collection of diphtheria; increase the awareness of immunization acceptability; building capacity of LGA Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on case detection, sample collection, transportation and management ; and risk communication of the disease should be intensified in the state and its environs for easy detection.

A statement by the spokesman of the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said the Ministry has further advised members of the public to ensure that their children and wards are fully vaccinated, avoid crowded environments, consult doctors in case of symptoms and eat fruits and vegetables.