Ten children’s fatalities in several towns in Kafanchan, in the state’s Jemaá Local Government Area, have been attributed by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to a diphtheria epidemic.
According to a statement sent by the state governor, Uba Sani, through his chief press secretary, Muhammad Shehu, when the youngsters died from an unusual sickness, he ordered the emergency medical team to look into the case right away.
He said that the confirmation came after multiple reports were received regarding persons in Takau Ward, Kafanchan A and Kafanchan B wards, displaying symptoms such as breathing trouble, high fever, cough, generalised body weakness, sore throat, and neck swelling.
“Upon learning about the unfortunate loss of lives in the affected communities, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, immediately directed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate these cases.
“A preliminary report from the Ministry revealed that the outbreak of diphtheria in Kafanchan had its first recorded case at the beginning of July 2023,” according to the statement.
While praising the health officials for their quick reaction to the health emergency, the governor urged them to keep working hard to see that the sickness was confined and then eventually eradicated.
The statement further said, “actions taken by the ministry so far include the movement of affected cases to adequately equipped hospitals for proper management, active case searches, contact tracing and intensive community sensitisation in all affected communities and surrounding areas.”
The statement said that locals were encouraged to take action to stop the disease’s spread and safeguard their neighbourhoods.
Additionally, it said that locals should make sure they “wash their hands frequently with soap and water; avoid close contact with people who are sick; cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing; stay home from work or school if they are sick; stay active and walk every day to boost immunity and report any suspected cases of diphtheria in their surrounding communities.”
cc: Punch Ng
