The outbreak of Diphtheria, a new nose and throat infection, has been confirmed in Nigeria.
In a public health advisory issued Friday morning, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed that fewer than 25 people have reportedly died from the disease in Kano State, North-West Nigeria.
However, the disease control centre noted that it has responded to “reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States and is monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe States where cases are now being picked up”.
The NCDC is yet to give data on the number of infections and deaths recorded in the country. But the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Aminu Tsanyawa, had on Thursday confirmed that the outbreak of Diphtheria has killed no fewer than 25 persons in the state.
Tsanyawa told an online newspaper that the state rapid response team had been reactivated and indexed an action plan to check the spread of the deadly disease.
Meanwhile, NCDC said it’s now working with state health ministries and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak.
About Diphtheria
The NCDC explained that diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection caused by the Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, an individual’s skin.
It noted that people most at risk of contracting diphtheria are children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine), people who live in crowded environments or areas with poor sanitation, and healthcare workers who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria.
On transmission, NCDC added that the disease spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.
The symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and neck swelling. In severe cases, the NCDC said, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat, associated with difficulty breathing.
Prevention
To prevent the disease, the NCDC urged parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, as recommended in the childhood immunisation schedule.
It added that healthcare workers should be vigilant and look for symptoms of diphtheria. Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should isolate themselves and notify the local government area, state disease surveillance officer, or the NCDC through its toll-free line (6232).
