Bisina SomtoDiphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, has unleashed a devastating impact on Nigeria, claiming the lives of 600 people across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed this alarming statistic during a quarterly review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee in Abuja.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKano State, serving as the epicenter of the outbreak, witnessed over 10,000 suspected cases, making up a significant portion of the total figure.
READ ALSO: Diphtheria Outbreak: Over 130 Hospitalized In Kano
A staggering 97% of the cases were concentrated in Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, resulting in a tragic loss of over 600 lives.
Dr. Shuaib emphasized that 73% of reported diphtheria cases affected children between the ages of one to 14, with 80% of those afflicted having never received any vaccination.
READ ALSO: Diphtheria Spreads In More LGAs As Nigeria Records 7202 Cases, 453 Deaths
In response to this dire situation, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare established the Diphtheria Emergency Task Team at the height of the outbreak.
One of their key responsibilities was to engage the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee in the response efforts. Dr. Shuaib expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation of royal highnesses in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, and Kano states, who have been actively engaging their communities to ensure that they fully comprehend the critical importance of vaccination.
Dr. Shuaib, who also serves as the Co-Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Team on Diphtheria, visited the Kaduna Diphtheria Treatment Centre at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital to assess the situation there. Kaduna State reported 156 cases, resulting in the loss of 20 lives.
Dr. Shuaib highlighted the importance of taking preventive measures, comparing the situation to the response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged residents in areas with rising cases to wear face masks, emphasizing that diphtheria is an airborne disease, and protection is of paramount importance.
Somto is an Entertainment Reporter with a passion for uncovering the latest stories in the world of entertainment. As a dedicated journalist, Somto delivers in-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and breaking news coverage.
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