The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, had on Friday, January 19 urged healthcare workers to keep up a high index of suspicion for diphtheria.
Not less than 25 people have reportedly died while several others were hospitalized after an outbreak of diphtheria infection hit certain Kano state communities, Northwest Nigeria, thus increasing the panic among residents of the state.
The outbreak which was reported to have begun last week in Tudun Rubudi and Bare-Bari communities in the Ungogo Local Government Area of the state have so far see 25 casualties.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa while confirming the outbreak of the deadly Diphtheria disease, highlighted that the symptoms of the killer disease included sore throat, coughs, drooling of saliva, change of voice, neck swelling, abnormal breathing, fever.
Additionally, the Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, in a public health advisory had advised health workers to be vigilant and look out for symptoms of diphtheria.
The NCDC has begun monitoring the outbreak in Osun and Yobe states where cases are now being picked up and in addition to clinically suspected cases, there have been laboratory-confirmed cases and the health agency is working with state ministries of health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak.
Diphtheria is a harmful bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.
