The Devastation Of Diphtheria Disease Continues In 7 States And Abuja The National Primary Health Care Agency has disclosed that Nigeria ha...
The Devastation Of Diphtheria Disease Continues In 7 States And Abuja
The National Primary Health Care Agency has disclosed that Nigeria has had 836 new cases of the disease in 33 local governments from eight states and the Federal Capital Territory of FCT from May to July of this year 2023, adding that all 83 people confirmed to be infected have died.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the National Primary Health Care Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said this at a press conference on Monday of the current week regarding the outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria.
He said that the situation is alarming and alarming that the outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria from May to July 2023, there were 2,455 suspected cases of the disease from 26 states. However, from the 28th July 2023 after testing, it was confirmed that 836 were infected in 33 local governments in 8 states including: Kuros Ribas, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Lagos, Osun, Yobe and the Federal Capital Territory of FCT.
"There have been 83 deaths from those who have been confirmed to be infected with the disease, which is why it is very important to vaccinate our children against this deadly disease."
Faisal described diphtheria as a disease that can be contracted and inevitable as it can be cured, which is caused by the Corynebacterium bacterium, through direct contact with an infected person or something that poured through the air.
He further explained that anyone can be infected with mumps like children.
"But alas! As he said, what is disturbing is that there are still children who are not vaccinated even though there are vaccines as provided in Nigeria, as Faisal confirmed.
Diphtheria disease affects the areas that help to breathe, its symptoms include fever, Cough discharge from the nose, sore throat, neck swelling, and difficulty breathing.
He said that if no action is taken to provide treatment, the symptoms seen can lead to death, especially if the vaccine is not given properly, or even not at all, in an unsanitary place or where and overcrowded society.
The senior official said, the disease can be treated by vaccination.
As he emphasized, in Nigeria, pentabalent vaccines are used as a protection against diphtheria and children are given from 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks with additional doses when preparing for awareness.
He clarified that "Despite the efforts made by the federal government to provide inexpensive vaccines, there are still children who have not had the opportunity to get vaccinated, or they have been vaccinated but not enough as it should be." , this kind of thing brings back all the efforts of the country to provide protection. The lack of suboptimal vaccination is the main problem that contributes to the number of outbreaks where the issue affects children from two (2) to fourteen (14) years.
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