January 20, 2023
Eighteen people have been confirmed dead from suspected cases of diphtheria outbreak that hit the commercial city of Kano State in Northwest Nigeria.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Abdullahi Kauranmata, who confirmed this to Channels Television said three persons died after testing positive while 15 others died from suspected cases of the outbreak.
Dr. Kauranmata said more than 10 local government areas were so far affected as they have reported suspected cases of the outbreak.
“We have been holding all-day meetings. As of yesterday, we have about 78 suspected cases out of which we tested about 30. So far, about 16 results came out and eight tested positive. Out of the eight confirmed cases, three died while the remaining five were managed and discharged. For the larger number of suspected cases, out of them, we have 15 deaths.
“In a nutshell, so far, 18 died. Three were confirmed died as a result of the outbreak while 15 were suspected cases due to the symptoms.
“We have already set up a treatment centre called Diphtheria Treatment Centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital with the support of MSF. We have about 30 already discharged. We have 27 cases on admission receiving treatments.
“Our main concern now is that we are tracing and going after the contacts of those people who have tested positive since they (the victims) have been diagnosed. We make sure we line-list all contacts and follow them up. Anyone who develops the symptoms, we will pick them up at the treatment centre.
“We have reported suspected cases from more than 10 local government areas such as Ungogo, Dala, Nassarawa, and Dawakin-Kudu among others.
“We started having the cases since last week of December. But we are doing well and stabilizing so far,” Dr. Kauranmata, however, stated.
The disease is spread through contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person, and it can be prevented through vaccination.
