789 new cases of diphtheria has been discovered in Nigeria as of June 30.
This is according to an announcement by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The NCDC further announced that the cases were recorded in 33 LGAs across eight states; Kano, Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Kaduna, Osun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to NCDC, majority of the cases were recorded in Kano, with 71.7 percent of the confirmed cases occurring among children aged two to 14 years.
Among all confirmed cases, 80 deaths were recorded, with 82 percent of the 798 confirmed diphtheria cases unvaccinated.
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The NCDC noted that this would be the first time in over two decades, that the country would be procuring diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) in-country, while distributung it to the affected states, adding that it has established a multi-sectoral national diphtheria technical working group as a mechanism for coordinating surveillance and response activities across the country.
The statement added;
“Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should isolate themselves and notify their LGA, State disease surveillance officer (DSNO), their State Ministry of Health helpline, or the NCDC through our toll-free line on 6232.
“Individuals who have come in close contact with a confirmed case of diphtheria should be closely monitored, given antibiotics prophylaxis, and started on diphtheria treatment when indicated.”
Diphtheria, a bacterial infection that affect the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual, has notable symptoms that included fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.
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