The Yobe State government has confirmed the death of 26 patients who contracted diphtheria disease in parts of the State.
No fewer than 21 people are still receiving meditation at various isolation facilities.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Lawan Gana, said that so far, 289 patients have been treated and discharged from health facilities across the State.
“Regarding diphtheria disease, we have 21 active cases, 26 deaths, while 289 have been discharged as of 17th July 2023. We have 336 cumulative numbers from 2022 to 2023,” he said.
The outbreak of the disease which became a matter of concern in the last three weeks has affected seven local government areas of the state.
Doctor Gana further explained prevention and control measures such as advocacies, sensitization and mobilization of communities are ongoing to curtail the spread of the diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria which is currently ravaging the country is now recorded in the state with the highest case recorded in Nguru, Bursari, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Damaturu, Gulani and Nangere LGAs,” he said.
The government frowned on the outbreak of the disease in zero-dose vaccination households, Gana explained.
However, he said the state Ministry of Health was identifying these households for vaccination of those under two years old.
He also revealed that the government was intensifying the training of clinical staff to effectively manage the cases, especially during the rainy season.
Gana expressed concerns that cases of malaria would complicate the diphtheria outbreak.
In a related development, the Kaduna State Ministry of Health has linked the death of 10 children in some communities in Kafanchan, Jemaá Local Government Area to an outbreak of diphtheria disease.
Governor Uba Sani, through his Chief Press Secretary Muhammad Shehu, said following the death of the children due to a strange disease, he directed the emergency health team to immediately investigate the matter.
He noted that the confirmation came after several reports were made about residents in Takau Ward, Kafanchan A and Kafanchan B wards, exhibiting symptoms listed as difficulty in breathing, high fever, cough, general 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,” the statement said.
The governor, while commending the health officials for their prompt response to the health emergency, urged them to continue to carry out their tasks diligently to ensure that the disease was contained and subsequently eradicated.
The statement added that “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 also said residents were also advised to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease and protect our communities.
It added that residents should ensure that 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.”