Diphtheria Outbreak in KadunaIn Kaduna State, there has been a significant outbreak of Diphtheria, a bacterial infection caused by the corynebacterium species. The situation was first detected in March 2023 when the index case was recorded in two wards of Jema’a Local Government Area in the southern part of the state.
Since then, the disease has spread to other areas.As of October 11, 2023, there have been 156 confirmed cases of Diphtheria in Kaduna State, and tragically, 20 people have lost their lives due to this infection. The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency,
Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols and being aware of Diphtheria symptoms for prompt treatment.Dr. Shuaibu also stressed that Kaduna State is one of the states with a high number of Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and it’s crucial for the media to increase awareness and provide information to the community about the outbreak. Additionally, he encouraged patients to seek early vaccination against the infection.
The symptoms of Diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, and difficulty in breathing. The situation in Kaduna highlights the importance of public health measures and vaccination to control the spread of infectious diseases like Diphtheria.