Diphtheria: Kano most affected as Nigeria records 836 confirmed cases, 80 deaths
Nigeria has recorded a total of 836 confirmed cases and 80 deaths from diphtheria between May and June 2023.
According to the diphtheria situation report released Saturday by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed cases have been recorded in 33 local government areas (LGAs) in seven states and the FCT.
During the reporting period, the NCDC said, a total of 2,455 suspected cases were reported in 24 states. He added that 71.5% of confirmed cases were in children between the ages of 2 and 14.
Although diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, the NCDC noted that only 181 (21.7%) of 836 confirmed cases had been fully vaccinated with a “diphtheria toxin-containing vaccine.”
Distribution of casesAccording to the situation report, Kano State had 819 confirmed cases out of a total of 836 cases.
Lagos State came second on the chart with eight cases, followed by Yobe and Katsina States with three and two cases respectively.
FCT, Osun, Kaduna and Cross River states have recorded only one case each.
Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Sokoto and Zamfara states also accounted for 98.0% of suspected cases.
About diphtheria
The NCDC explained that diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species that affects an individual's nose, throat, and sometimes skin.
He noted that those most at risk of contracting diphtheria are children and adults who have received no or only one dose of the pentavalent vaccine, people who live in crowded environments, in areas with poor sanitation, and healthcare workers who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria.
On transmission, the NCDC added that the disease spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.
Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis) and swollen neck. In severe cases, according to the NCDC, a thick gray or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or the back of the throat, causing difficulty breathing.
PreventionTo prevent the disease, the NCDC has urged parents to ensure that their children are fully immunized against diphtheria with three doses of pentavalent vaccine, as recommended in the Childhood Immunization Schedule.
He added that healthcare workers should be vigilant and look for symptoms of diphtheria, and people with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should self-isolate and notify their local government disease surveillance officer.
Support PREMIUM TIMES integrity and credibility journalism
Nigeria has recorded a total of 836 confirmed cases and 80 deaths from diphtheria between May and June 2023.
According to the diphtheria situation report released Saturday by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed cases have been recorded in 33 local government areas (LGAs) in seven states and the FCT.
During the reporting period, the NCDC said, a total of 2,455 suspected cases were reported in 24 states. He added that 71.5% of confirmed cases were in children between the ages of 2 and 14.
Although diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, the NCDC noted that only 181 (21.7%) of 836 confirmed cases had been fully vaccinated with a “diphtheria toxin-containing vaccine.”
Distribution of casesAccording to the situation report, Kano State had 819 confirmed cases out of a total of 836 cases.
Lagos State came second on the chart with eight cases, followed by Yobe and Katsina States with three and two cases respectively.
FCT, Osun, Kaduna and Cross River states have recorded only one case each.
Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Sokoto and Zamfara states also accounted for 98.0% of suspected cases.
About diphtheria
The NCDC explained that diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species that affects an individual's nose, throat, and sometimes skin.
He noted that those most at risk of contracting diphtheria are children and adults who have received no or only one dose of the pentavalent vaccine, people who live in crowded environments, in areas with poor sanitation, and healthcare workers who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria.
On transmission, the NCDC added that the disease spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.
Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis) and swollen neck. In severe cases, according to the NCDC, a thick gray or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or the back of the throat, causing difficulty breathing.
PreventionTo prevent the disease, the NCDC has urged parents to ensure that their children are fully immunized against diphtheria with three doses of pentavalent vaccine, as recommended in the Childhood Immunization Schedule.
He added that healthcare workers should be vigilant and look for symptoms of diphtheria, and people with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should self-isolate and notify their local government disease surveillance officer.
Support PREMIUM TIMES integrity and credibility journalism
What's Your Reaction?
