About 12 cases of mpox have been discovered by the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHDA) in eight Local Government Areas of the state.

The Director of Disease Control of OSPHDA, Dr Victor Adefesoye, disclosed this on Monday in Akure at the stakeholders’ meeting on mpox vaccination.

Mr Adefesoye said that the disease, which was formerly known to be transmitted by monkeys, had been discovered to be transmitted by various animals.

He described the disease as contagious, hence, the need to contain its spread through vaccination in the state.

According to him, the vaccination is safe and will commence from August 11 to August 21 and will be given to targeted set of people who are above 18 years old and above.

He stated, “The essence of this meeting is to help us to inform people in your communities, religious groups, and organisations to take this vaccine. The disease is with us in Ondo State, particularly in these local government areas: Akoko South-West, Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East, Owo, Akure South, Akure North, Ondo East and Odigbo. This vaccination process is different from previous vaccinations because we know the targeted people and we have contacted them.

“They already have the disease, and we will also vaccinate their close relatives, contacts and health workers that have handled them. We anticipate that though we have contacted them, some may still feel reluctant to take it. We encourage you as stakeholders to encourage them and be vaccinated.’’

The director added that the targeted people would be given two doses of injectable vaccine at different intervals.

He, therefore, enjoined the people of the state to imbibe the culture of personal and environmental sanitation for a good and healthy society.

Also, the state Immunisation Officer, Florence Fadiji, said that the disease could be transmitted through contact with infected animals, infected persons and infected things.

Ms Fadiji added that the disease’s symptoms include body sores, rashes, fever, headache and body weakness.

She stated that the vaccination might have little or no reaction, saying that the vaccination’s reaction could not be compared to burden and effect of the disease.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of OSPHDA, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, said that the stakeholders were voices of the people of the state, hence the need to convince the targeted people to take the vaccine.

Mr Akanbiemu said the vaccination should not be taken lightly but appreciated by all and sundry for the betterment of the state.

 (NAN)