The Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Health Matters, Adekunle Akindele has said the state recorded 13 suspected cases of cholera but upon laboratory assessment, they all turned out negative.
He said the state is yet to record any confirmed case of cholera, describing the report of 11 confirmed cases of Cholera in the state as inaccurate.
Akindele clarified that contrary to the claim in the report, Osun recorded 13 suspected cases of cholera but all turned out negative upon a laboratory assessment, assuring the people of the state of adequate preventive measures by the government to prevent the occurrence, and respond to the outbreak whenever a case is recorded.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, he said, “Osun State Government through the Ministry of Health has proactively reactivated and established the Public Health Rapid Response Team (PHRRT) and Cholera Technical Working Group (CTWG) respectively, to ensure adequate surveillance and risk communication activities in order to guarantee the health of the citizens.”
“Though Osun is yet to record any confirmed case of Cholera, adequate preventive measures have been put in place to prevent the occurrence, and respond to the outbreak in case we eventually record a case,” he added.
Akindele noted that the state government is exploring the media to sensitize the public on preventive measures against cholera while surveillance mechanisms across the 30 local government areas and border towns have been heightened to fight the spread of the disease.
“Thirteen (13) sample(s) collected so far. All 13 samples sent to the laboratory, of which 13 (100%) were negative, 0 positive and no pending result,” he pointed out, adding that “Cholera RDT kits and Transport media have been strategically distributed to some Health Facilities across the 30 LGAs.”
According to a situation report obtained by The Point, the 13 suspected cases of cholera that later turned negative were recorded in six local government areas in Osun including Osogbo LGA with four suspected cases, Egbedore LGA with four, Oriade LGA with two, Ede North LGA with one while Ilesa West and Olorunda LGA had one each.
