Diphtheria
Fresh outbreak of diphtheria across Nigeria claims 80 lives – NCDC
Fresh outbreak of the deadly diphtheria outbreaks across Nigeria has claimed the lives of 80 people.
According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in a statement, while declaring a major diphtheria outbreak in the country reported 798 confirmed cases as at June of this year.
Diphtheria is a highly infectious disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria that can lead to breathing difficulties, heart rhythm problems, and even death, according to the NCDC.
“So far, a total of 80 deaths have been recorded among all confirmed cases,” said NCDC chief, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, Friday.
According to the NCDC, diphtheria is “a vaccine-preventable disease covered by one of the vaccines provided routinely through Nigeria’s childhood immunization schedule.”
The agency although admitted that, despite the “availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine in the country,” a significant majority of infected people are unvaccinated.
NCDC reported that the majority of confirmed cases occurred among children between the ages of two and 14.
The Centre has urged Nigerians to get inoculated, and healthcare workers have been instructed to immediately notify disease surveillance officers about suspected cases.
Meanwhile, the Health and Human Services Secretariat in Abuja is said to have activated the diphtheria Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate epidemic response activities.
