Diphtheria
Diphtheria kills 20 in Kaduna from 156 cases
Spreading throat disease, also known as Diphtheria has claimed the lives of 20 people in Kaduna State from a total of 156 reported cases between March and September.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shu’aib, disclosed this, Wednesday, after he led the National Task Team on diphtheria outbreak response to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
According to him, Kaduna State ranked among the seven states with high level of infection, as he further noted that most of the victims reported late for treatment and stressed the need for patients to be presented for medical attention speedily.
He, however, stated that about 80 per cent of those afflicted by the diseases did not present themselves for vaccination.
“There is also the need for the media to step up action in creating awareness and providing useful information about diphtheria,’’ he said.
He explained that mild to moderate cases of diphtheria were attended to at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, before being referred to infectious diseases hospitals. He observed that the number of victims was high because of low population immunity created by low vaccination coverage.
“Statistics show that local government areas that had high rates of vaccination in Kaduna State had the least cases of infection,’’ he said.
He stressed that vaccines still remained the most powerful tool to combat vaccine-preventable diseases. Acknowledging efforts made by Kaduna State government in combating diphtheria, Shu’aib also encouraged the people to wear nose masks, especially when visiting health facilities.
In his remarks, Dr Shu’aibu Musa, Consultant, Infectious Diseases at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, said four of the six victims of diphtheria brought to the facility had been treated and discharged. He however urged residents to maintain personal hygiene, get vaccinated and observe coughing and sneezing etiquettes to prevent the spread of diphtheria.
