The Kaduna State Government on Sunday, confirmed that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the state has reached 17, and there are 68 suspected cases identified throughout the region.
Among the recorded deaths due to the diphtheria outbreak, 14 fatalities were reported in the Kafanchan area of Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA), while three deaths occurred in Makarfi LGA.
The Chief Epidemiologist of the state Ministry of Health, Dr Jeremiah Daikwo, provided an update on the situation, stating that the ministry had sent 20 samples for analysis, and the results were awaited. As of now, there are 48 cases under observation, and all of them are in stable condition.
Breaking down the numbers of active cases, Dr Daikwo disclosed that 12 patients are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Makarfi, 35 patients at the Kafanchan General Hospital, and one patient at the Kubau Primary Health Centre.
According to reports, the diphtheria outbreak began with a four-year-old male child who fell ill on July 4 in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA).
In response to the spread of the disease, the state Ministry of Health has taken various measures. These include intensifying the search for active cases through contact tracing, implementing risk communication activities, and promptly moving affected cases to health facilities for appropriate management.
Furthermore, the ministry has heightened surveillance efforts across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
They have also increased risk communication activities, such as conducting meetings in communities and engaging in dialogue with household heads and community leaders to create awareness about the outbreak and its prevention.
