The first case of diphtheria disease has been recorded in Ilesa East Local Government area of Osun State, with a middle aged man whose identity could not be ascertained discovered to have contracted the disease.
Penpushing reports that Osun State Government made this known through Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olawale Rasheed who disclosed that the victim had been isolated and placed on treatment at an undisclosed hospital
The Governor’s spokesperson explained that the government had also begun contract tracing and searching for others who might have been infected with the disease in other locations across the state, as well as sensitisation programmes for residents on how to prevent the disease.
“What the state is doing to curtail the spread of Diphtheria in Osun State is community active case search and community sensitisation during the active case search, retroactive case search in health facilities in the affected LGA, contact tracing and follow up of the index case’, he said
Penpushing further reports that Olawale added that the government was training health workers on how to treat diphtheria disease, distributing preventive materials to hospitals and sensitising residents of the state through radio jingles and other programmes.
The Chief Press Secretary said the government was also carrying out: production and distribution of IEC materials, training of Health workers on case definitions and Infection Prevention and Control of Diphtheria, as well as production and airing of jingle on prevention and Training of Health workers on sample collection of Diphtheria.
Penpushing also reports that Olawale advised parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, stressing that diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease therefore, all parents and guidance should ensure their wards are fully vaccinated,
“Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease therefore, all parents and guidance to ensure their wards are fully vaccinated. Once anyone starts coughing or has a sore throat, consult your physician. There is nothing like an ordinary or normal cough. Eat fruits and Vegetables and stay hydrated. Avoid crowded environments and if it’s necessary let us make use of our face masks’, he emphasized
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had earlier said it was monitoring the situation of diphtheria in Yobe and Osun States where it was picked up.
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