Diphtheria: Over 97% of cases recorded were in five Northern States- NPHCDA
By Abdullahi Jalalalluden
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency says over ten thousand cases of suspected Diphtheria disease have been reported
within the last ten months across the country.
The Executive Director/CEO of NPHC Dr Faisal Shuaibu disclosed to newsmen in Kano.
Dr Faisal said they were in the state to collaborate efforts with the Kano State government toward Curtailing the spread of the disease
“As you are aware, Kano is the epecenter of Nigeria’s diphtheria outbreak, so we are here to assess the level of the state government response, so far we have data that shows over ten thousand (10,000) suspected cases of diphtheria since December last year (2022), and over five thousand (5,000) death were recorded, and over seven thousand (7,000) cases have been treated, we have reductions in the number of cases that we are reporting, but it is still yet to say or declared that we have a full control of the outbreak but there are all indication that Kano State is doing great job, we have also been to Yobe, Jigawa and Borno states and the indication is showing that the diphtheria cases is gradually been controlled,” Dr. Faisail said
“We also commend the efforts of Kano state government for measures put in place to curtail the spread of the disease “
He said the federal government would not relent in collaborating efforts with the state governments to find modalities for curtailing the spread of the disease.
“The principal lesson here is wee need to have strong routine immunization system, Parents should always take their cases to experts, over 80% that have reported and those that have died were cases that have not vaccinated, so those that have not been vaccinated are very vulnerable to the bacteria, and when you look at the mortality rate the highest number of people that have died are from the age of 5 to 14 years, and what it tells you is that 5 to 14 years back the routine immunization level was quite very law.”
