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Amarachi Okeh
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 111 cases of diphtheria out of 253 suspected cases from week one to week 3, 2023. It also confirmed 22 deaths from the health condition.
According to the NCDC’s latest situation report on the viral infection, 12 people out of the 111 were fully vaccinated against the condition with a diphtheria toxin-containing vaccine.
The NCDC also indicated that the majority of confirmed cases occurred in children between the ages of two – 14 years of age.
The report said, “A total of 253 suspected cases were reported: Kano (169), Yobe (78), Lagos (5), Osun (1) states
“Of the suspected cases reported 111 (42.1%) were confirmed (8 lab-confirmed and 103 clinically compatible), 18 (7.1%) were discarded, and 40 (15.3%) were unknown.
“A total of 22 deaths were recorded among confirmed cases.”
The NCDC had on December 1 been notified of the suspected outbreak of diphtheria in Lagos and Kano states.
The health agency has urged parents to vaccinate their children against the disease and report all suspected cases to the appropriate health authorities.
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that produce toxins. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death.
Like other viral infections, Diphtheria spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
According to the American Centre for Disease Control, the symptoms associated with this disease are mild fever, weakness, sore throat, and swollen glands of the neck which start after two to 10 days of exposure to the harmful bacteria.
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