8th April, 2017
Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, has cleared eight residents of Ibadan alleged to be suffering from meningitis.
Adeduntan confirmed that clinical diagnosis carried out on the residents showed that they were free from the virus.
Adeduntan who addressed journalists today said that as a result of this development, the state is free from meningitis. “There is no outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in the state,” he declared.
“As at 2:30p.m on Friday April 7, 2017, there is no confirmed case of meningitis in the state,” he added.
The health commissioner revealed that four of the suspected cases of meningitis were recorded at the General Hospital, Moniya in Akinyele Local Government and another four at Oni Memorial Hospital, near Mobil, Moshood Abiola Way, Ibadan.
He said that the outcome of the medical examinations revealed no organisms in the cerebrospinal fluids of the patients, adding that there has not been any loss of life in all the cases.
Adeduntan explained that the suspicion of meningitis in the state was strengthened by reports that the patients recently travelled to the northern part of the country where quite a number of cases were confirmed.
“As such, the initially suspected cases cannot be considered as meningitis. We don’t confirm cases based on symptoms and signs; we confirm based on laboratory evidence because meningitis can be mimicked by a lot of other diseases. In Oyo state, there are no confirmed cases of cerebrospinal meningitis. So the people of the state should not panic,” he said.
Adeduntan reiterated the commitment of the government towards ensuring a disease free Oyo State, adding that the state has put its facilities on high alert with the deployment of confirmatory resources as well as manpower to all facilities.
He urged the residents to uphold the hygienic practices of regular hand washing with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, coughing or blowing their nose. He also advised those sick to seek medical attention immediately.