Over 14,000 cases of diphtheria have been reported in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, according to Dr. Faisal Shuaib, executive director and chief executive officer of the National Primary Health Care Agency.
Shuaib revealed that the outbreak’s centre, Kano State, is home to almost 10,000 of the cases.
According to him, over 600 people have died in over 97% of the instances that have been reported in the states of Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, and Bauchi.
The NPHCDA director revealed this at the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee’s quarterly review meeting in Abuja.
He said that children between the ages of one and 14 account for 73% of all recorded cases of diphtheria, and that 81% of those affected had never had the disease.
The report, according to him, highlights the urgent need for the NTLC and partners to step up community mobilisation, raise awareness among the general public, and encourage the adoption of immunisation services.
He said:
“At the peak of the outbreak, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare established the Diphtheria Emergency Task Team with the objective of bringing the outbreak under control. One of his charges was to involve the NTLC in the response effort. I am happy to report that in my field visit across Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and Kano States, the royal highnesses have been up and doing engaging their communities to ensure they are well informed about the importance of vaccination.”
Shuaibu, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Team on Diphtheria, was also present at the Kaduna Diphtheria Treatment Centre at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital on Wednesday.
Speaking with journalists, he said that Kaduna State had 156 cases of which 20 patients had died.
“When you live at the local government areas where the cases are rising, it’s very important that you recognise that this an airborne disease and just like we did during COVID-19, we should use facemasks,” he added.
cc: Punch Ng
