Diphtheria Outbreak: Expect More Cases In More States - NCDC

The number of confirmed cases of diphtheria disease has risen to 123 in the country, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. This is even as the agency warned that people should be wary because there is likely to be more cases in more states in the days ahead.  

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, disclosed this on Monday.

This is just as the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, urged parents to ensure that their children get vaccinated against the infection as the country is still battling Lassa fever, measles, meningitis, and yellow fever.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, skin of an individual.

It spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

Adetifa said the cases were recorded in Kano, Lagos, Yobe, and Osun States.

According to the DG, the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths were recorded in Kano State.

He said, “Based on the latest reports from states shared with the NCDC as of January 22, 123 confirmed cases and 38 deaths have been recorded.”

A breakdown of the cases showed that Kano State recorded 100 confirmed cases with 32 deaths, followed by Yobe State with 17 confirmed cases and three deaths; Lagos State recorded five confirmed cases and three deaths, while Osun State recorded one case.

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Ehanire said “Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and we are urging that people should get vaccinated. The vaccines are there and we need cooperation and uptake.”

Also speaking, the Director of Special Duties and Partnership of the NCDC, Dr Priscilla Ibekwe, said the agency is working with state Ministries of Health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak.

Ibekwe, who represented the DG at the briefing, said there may be more cases from more states.

She said “Given the sub-optimal coverage for the third dose of diphtheria containing pentavalent vaccine (54 percent – 2021 MICS and NICS) in the country, we expect more cases from more states.

“In view of this, we have deployed the Rapid Response Team members to support state response and media engagements with the DG.”

  

Categories: General