Over 800 Cases Confirmed as Diphtheria Outbreak Hits Nigeria
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin.
Nearly 800 cases of Diphtheria have been confirmed in Nigeria as one of the major outbreaks of the disease in recent years.
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According to authorities, the number of confirmed cases has surged to nearly 800, highlighting the alarming public health crisis facing the nation.
The spread of this highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease has raised significant concerns among healthcare professionals and the general population alike.
The outbreak has been reported in the capital Abuja and seven of the country's 36 states with most of the cases recorded in the northern state of Kano. Other States with cases are Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Kaduna, and Osun.
''The majority (71.7%) of the 798 confirmed cases occurred among children aged 2 – 14 years. So far, a total of 80 deaths have been recorded among all confirmed cases (case fatality rate of 10.0%),'' the authorities said.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says the outbreak started in December but more cases have been diagnosed in recent weeks.
''As of June 30th, 2023, there have been 798 confirmed diphtheria cases,'' the NCDC said in a statement on Thursday. It said 80 of the cases have died. The disease which mainly affects children between the ages of 2 and 14 is vaccine-preventable.
''Despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine in the country, the majority 82% of the 798 confirmed diphtheria cases in this ongoing outbreak were unvaccinated,'' the NCDC said.
The authorities say they have now intensified their response to the outbreak including surveillance, laboratory investigation, risk communication, case management and immunisation activities to ''avert further spread of the disease.''
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control urges ''the public to remain vigilant and ensure persons with symptoms of diphtheria present early to health facilities for prompt diagnosis and treatment.''
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin.
It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death.
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