Diphtheria Outbreak: Okpebholo Assures Situation Under Control, says necessary resources, expertise already deployed to halt spread

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To check further spread of recent outbreak of Diphtheria in some parts of Edo State, Governor Okpebholo has convened a multi-sectoral emergency meeting with representatives from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO), traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and community development groups to harmonise efforts and strengthen the response framework.

The state government also said hospitals across the state have been placed on high alert and instructed to intensify case detection, prompt isolation, and proper clinical management of suspected cases in accordance with national and international guidelines.
The government, in a statement on Wednesday signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, further revealed that it has activated an emergency public health response and deployed all necessary resources and expertise to arrest the situation and safeguard the health of residents.
Itua, said medical personnel were being briefed and equipped to respond appropriately, while the state’s disease surveillance network was being expanded to trace and monitor potential contacts swiftly.

The government therefore assured the public that there was no cause for panic, as the situation was under control, “and all necessary protocols are being enforced to prevent further spread”.
Noting that Edo State has a strong track record in managing public health emergencies, and this instance would not be an exception, Governor Okpebholo urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant while advising them to report any symptoms such as “sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck, or difficulty in breathing” to the nearest healthcare facility.

The Government also encouraged all residents to cooperate with health officials and participate fully in the vaccination and awareness drive, stating that the government remained committed to the health and well-being of its people and would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this outbreak was swiftly and permanently addressed.

According to Itua, “Governor Okpebholo, demonstrating decisive leadership, is personally coordinating surveillance and monitoring efforts, working closely with the State Ministry of Health and other critical stakeholders to ensure a swift and effective containment of the disease”
He said the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole had similarly been at the forefront of the state’s medical response, “working tirelessly with the emergency health task force to mitigate the spread of the disease and provide real-time updates to the public”.

The statement said in an inclusive move, school owners and proprietors had been actively collaborating with the government to implement early warning systems, enforce hygiene standards, and carry out health screenings where necessary to protect schoolchildren—who are among the most vulnerable”.
Itua assured that Edo State remained committed to the health and well-being of its people and would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this outbreak is swiftly and permanently addressed.