July 21, 2023

…Gov. Sani directs probe of cases, immediate action

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has confirmed cases of the diphtheria disease in some communities in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area.

In a statement on Thursday by the State government, this comes 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 Kafanchan had its first recorded case of diphtheria in the beginning of July, 2023.

The statement said that the index case was a four-year-old boy whose illness started on July 4, but died after 48 hours while five out of 17 new cases later died within the three wards of Jema’a LGA.

Twelve others are presently on admission to the hospital.

Following the loss of lives in the affected communities, Governor Uba Sani has directed the State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate the cases and ensure the movement of affected cases to adequately equip hospitals for proper management, active contact tracing and intensive community sensitisation in all affected communities and surrounding areas.

Governor Sani, 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 is contained and subsequently eradicated.

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 sensitization in all affected communities and surrounding areas.