The FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, (HSES) has dismissed an unverified social media claim linking an alleged diphtheria case in Abuja to sliced watermelon.
The claim, contained in a social media post by Ivan Eagle Lawson, included a photograph purportedly showing a man identified as Mr Simeon Okoh and alleged that he was a victim of diphtheria in Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary, HSES, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said field verification by the FCT Public Health Department and the Abuja Municipal Area Council found no evidence to establish the identity of the person in the photograph, the alleged address or the reported diphtheria case.
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She said, “The photograph and the details accompanying the post could not be verified as genuine or linked to any confirmed diphtheria case in the FCT.”
Dr Fasawe made the clarification in a statement issued from her office following concerns raised by the circulating post.
She said a multidisciplinary Rapid Response Team from the FCT Public Health Department and AMAC visited the location described in the post on 28 September to investigate the claim.
According to her, enquiries with the estate management and physical observations established that the alleged address was inconsistent with the estate’s road designations.
She added that estate management could not identify a resident matching the details provided and reported no knowledge of the alleged incident.
Dr Fasawe further said checks of the FCT diphtheria line list and records at the National Reference Laboratory in Gaduwa did not identify a corresponding record.
She explained that the team did not locate the person described in the post, adding that “the investigation did not establish evidence supporting the alleged diagnosis or its claimed link to watermelon.”
The Mandate Secretary commended the residents’ association for cooperating with the verification team and helping to address concerns within the community.
She, however, emphasised that the findings relate specifically to the claim circulating online, stressing that “the ongoing diphtheria response in the FCT continues, and residents should remain vigilant and report suspected illness promptly.”
Dr Fasawe explained that diphtheria is a serious, vaccine-preventable bacterial infection, usually caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
She said it spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected respiratory secretions or skin lesions, stressing that the investigation did not establish that watermelon caused the alleged illness.
Targeted Vaccinations
The Mandate Secretary noted that most cases recorded during the current FCT outbreak have been among children, particularly those aged five to nine years, many of whom were unvaccinated.
She therefore urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive all vaccinations recommended for their age, including the three primary doses of the diphtheria-containing pentavalent vaccine provided through routine childhood immunisation.
Dr Fasawe advised parents and caregivers of children who have missed doses or whose vaccination histories are uncertain to take them to the nearest primary healthcare facility for assessment and appropriate catch-up vaccination.
She also urged residents experiencing fever, sore throat, neck swelling or difficulty swallowing to seek medical assessment promptly.
According to her, “Difficulty breathing requires urgent medical attention,” while healthcare workers should immediately notify the appropriate Area Council Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer of suspected cases.
Dr Fasawe urged the public to respect privacy and avoid stigmatising residents, communities or food vendors over unverified health claims.
She urged anyone with information that could assist in verifying such claims to share it privately with the FCT Public Health Department or AMAC health authorities rather than circulating unverified information online.
Dr Fasawe said the FCT is continuing its surveillance, awareness and community engagement activities, including door-to-door sensitisation, radio jingles and the distribution of information, education and communication materials.
She also cautioned residents against sharing unverified social media claims of Ebola outbreaks, urging them to rely on official updates from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Mandate Secretary warned that “circulating unverified health claims can heighten anxiety and distract from response activities.”
She nevertheless encouraged residents to report suspected illnesses and public health concerns promptly so they could be assessed.
Residents seeking clarification were advised to contact the FCT Public Health Department or the NCDC, while public health enquiries and alerts may also be directed to the NCDC toll-free line, 6232.
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