Diphtheria: Death toll hits 13 in Kaduna state

Deaths from the outbreak of diphtheria disease in Kaduna have reportedly risen to 13 according to the latest official figures. A breakdown shows 10 people reportedly died from the disease in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while 3 children died in Makarfi Local Government Area, and seven others were hospitalised.

READ ALSO: Diphtheria: 3 Dead, 7 Hospitalised In Kaduna State

Confirming the outbreak in Markafi LGA, Local Council Health Secretary, Malam Aliyu Alhassan, said the suspected cases occurred at Tashar Na Kawu community in Gubuchi Ward.

He said, “Affected victims were children and the specimen of the victims was forwarded to Abuja for analysis. Those suspected with the disease have been taken to hospital and isolated for medical observation and contact tracing is going on to prevent further spread of the disease.”

Also, the Kaduna State government has alerted citizens on the outbreak and directed the Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate cases and take immediate action reports, according to reporters.

Meanwhile, the Chief Epidemiologist, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jeremiah Daikwo, has lamented that some communities in the state were rejecting vaccines against anthrax disease which broke out in some states.

He also explained that anthrax is a bacterial disease that affects domestic and wild animals and can infect humans, especially children that might have had contact with infected animals.

He said findings revealed that 17 people were infected, adding, “We are still doing contact searches to identify more people who may have been infected”.

Wumi/PUNCH