The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified measures to contain diphtheria following five laboratory-confirmed cases and two deaths recorded in the territory.
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during an advocacy campaign and community engagement on the prevention and control of diphtheria at the Emir of Karshi’s Palace in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Fasawe, who represented the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said 15 suspected cases had been investigated as of the end of last week, with 10 discarded after investigation and five confirmed through laboratory testing.
She said the FCT Administration immediately activated a multidisciplinary Incident Management Team following the confirmation of a case, with teams conducting active case searches, identifying and monitoring close contacts, collecting samples for testing, and sensitising healthcare workers on early detection, infection prevention and prompt notification.
“Diphtheria is preventable through vaccination, and it can be successfully treated when it is recognised early,” Fasawe said.
She explained that surveillance and vaccination teams had been deployed to priority settlements, including Angwan Kokosa and surrounding communities, to conduct active case searches, assess vaccination gaps and identify children who had missed routine immunisation.
Fasawe urged parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccination status and take those who are unvaccinated or under-immunised to the nearest primary healthcare centre.
“Even if the vaccination card is missing, please do not stay away. Our health workers will assess the child’s vaccination status and guide you appropriately,” she said.
The Mandate Secretary also warned residents against delaying medical attention when symptoms such as fever, sore throat, neck swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing occur.
She particularly cautioned against touching, scraping or attempting to remove any membrane from the throat, warning that such action could cause severe bleeding, shock and death.
Fasawe further directed private hospitals that suspect diphtheria cases to isolate and refer patients appropriately while immediately notifying the designated Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer.
“No patient with suspected diphtheria should be turned away or transferred without first being properly assessed, isolated where appropriate and stabilised,” she stressed.
She called on traditional and religious leaders, teachers, school proprietors and community associations to support health teams, counter misinformation and encourage vaccination.
“Government cannot succeed alone. Effective outbreak control depends on trust, timely information and cooperation between government and the community,” she added.
Also speaking, the Supervisory Councillor for Health, AMAC, Nuhu Usman, who represented the AMAC Chairman, Christopher Zaka, pledged the council’s continued cooperation with the FCT Administration and health authorities.
Strengthen Surveillance
He said AMAC would continue to strengthen surveillance, promote timely reporting of suspected cases, and support vaccination and other preventive interventions.
He urged residents of Karshi and Kokosa to cooperate with health teams, saying, “Prevention is better than cure and protecting our children is the collective responsibility.”
The Emir of Karshi, Alhaji Ismail Mohammed, represented by the Hakimi of Karshi, Alhaji Ahmed Doka, also assured the health authorities of the traditional institution’s support in reporting suspected cases and mobilising residents.
Representing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Hajia Hanatu Bello said the agency was providing technical support to the FCT response.
Bello, who leads the Risk Communications, Community Engagement and Epidemic Management pillar of the Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre, said the objective was to ensure that residents understood the disease and knew the appropriate preventive measures.
She expressed optimism that concerted efforts by the FCT Administration, NCDC and communities would help “kick it out of the communities as soon as possible.”
Representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), FCT, Imabong Adebayo said diphtheria is preventable through vaccination and urged community leaders to help increase routine immunisation uptake.
“Vaccines are free, they are safe, they are available for our children,” Adebayo said, assuring the FCT Administration of WHO’s continued technical and field support.
She said stronger vaccination uptake and community engagement were necessary to interrupt transmission and prevent further outbreaks.
The Mandate Secretary urged residents to remember three key actions: “Vaccinate. Report early. Protect one another.”
