Diphtheria is an acute and highly contagious bacterial disease causing inflammation of the mucous membranes, formation of a false membrane in the throat which hinders breathing and swallowing, and potentially fatal heart and nerve damage by a bacterial toxin in the blood.
At least 10 people have been confirmed dead out of 91 cases of Diphtheria disease recorded in 14 Local Government Areas of Jigawa State, an official of the state Ministry of Health has disclosed.
Diphtheria is an acute and highly contagious bacterial disease causing inflammation of the mucous membranes, formation of a false membrane in the throat which hinders breathing and swallowing, and potentially fatal heart and nerve damage by a bacterial toxin in the blood.
It strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin.
Confirming the outbreak of the disease in the state, Permanent Secretary Ministry of health, Dr Salisu Mu’azu said that “so far, two cases had been confirmed at Kazaure and Jahun Local Government Areas as some samples had been taken to Abuja for confirmation."
Giving further details, Mu’azu revealed that “the epidemic had been recorded at areas with zero doses of rotten immunisation in the affected local government areas in the state."
Citing the recent outbreak of the disease in neighbouring State of Kano and Yobe State, has put the state in Permanent state of vigilant, adding that the Jigawa State are making lot of effort in tackling the eminence.
Ma’azu noted that the ministry had already collected necessary information and data in the affected areas and updated the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) and National Disease Control (NDC) for further actions.
He explained that the state government is making arrangements for administering the vaccine in the state whenever the vaccine arrives.
SaharaReporters had reported that in the last 10 months at least 520 children were confirmed killed in Kano State by diphtheriae according to Director General of Kano State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Mr. Nasir Muhammad.
According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) report, Kano State constituted 80 per cent of Diphtheria disease outback in Nigeria.