600 Nigerians So Far Died In Nationwide Diphtheria Outbreak
More than 600 persons have so far died from the nationwide outbreak of diphtheria, according to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA)
The agency says the deaths were recorded from over 600 suspected cases of the disease recorded in the federal capital territory and 19 states.
117 of the deaths were posted in Yobe State and 20 in Kaduna State.
The agency executive director, Dr. Faisal Shuaib announced this in Abuja, during the quarterly review meeting with the northern traditional leaders committee.
He named Kano State as Nigeria’s epicenter of the outbreak. Other endemic states are Katsina, Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi and Yobe.
According to him, over seventy of the suspected cases were recorded among children aged between one to 14 years.
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Shuaib further disclosed that at the peak of the outbreak, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare established the Diphtheria Emergency Task Team with the objective of bringing the outbreak under control.
“One of his charges was to involve the NTLC in the response effort. I am happy to report that during my field visit across Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, and Kano States, the Royal Highnesses have been active in engaging their communities to ensure they are well informed about the importance of vaccination.”
Shuaib also disclosed that the agency will roll out HPV vaccines on October 24. He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), is embarking on a comprehensive campaign to introduce HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines in schools and healthcare centres.
He also explained that this endeavour represents a giant stride in the country’s ongoing mission to safeguard the health and future of the nation’s youth.
