Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHDA) has identified 12 cases of Mpox in eight local government areas.
At a stakeholders’ meeting and the launch of the Mpox vaccination campaign in Akure, the state capital, the director of Disease Control at OSPHDA, Dr. Victor Adefesoye, described the disease as contagious and stressed the need to contain its spread through vaccination.
Adefesoye explained that while Mpox was formerly known to be transmitted primarily by monkeys, it has been found to be transmissible by various animals.
He noted that the vaccination is safe and will commence on August 11 and end on August 21, targeting only individuals aged 18 and above.
He stated: “The purpose of this meeting is to help inform people in your communities, religious groups, and organisations to take this vaccine.
“The disease is present in Ondo State, particularly in the following Local Government Areas: Akoko South-West, Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East, Owo, Akure South, Akure North, Ondo East, and Odigbo. This vaccination process differs from previous ones because we know and have contacted the targeted people.
“They already have the disease, and we will also vaccinate their close relatives, contacts, and health workers who have treated them. While some may be reluctant, we encourage you as stakeholders to persuade them to get vaccinated.”
He added that the targeted people will receive two doses of the injectable vaccine at different intervals and urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental sanitation for a healthy society.
Corroborating Adefesoye, the state Immunisation Officer, Mrs. Florence Fadiji, explained that Mpox could also be transmitted through contact with infected animals, persons, and contaminated objects.
She described symptoms including body sores, rashes, fever, headache, and body weakness, noting that the vaccine might cause little or no reaction, which is minor compared to the disease’s effects.
Addressing the gathering, the Permanent Secretary of OSPHDA, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, who described the stakeholders as the voice of the people, appealed to them to encourage the targeted individuals to take the vaccine
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