Kano State government confirms throat disease outbreak

On Jan 20, 2023

The Commissioner for Health in Kano State, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, has confirmed the outbreak of the deadly Diphtheria. which is said to have killed about 25 persons in the state.

Diphtheria is an acute and highly contagious bacterial disease causing inflammation of the mucous membranes, formation of a false membrane in the throat which hinders breathing and swallowing, and potentially fatal heart and nerve damage by a bacterial toxin in the blood. It is now rare in developed countries owing to immunization.

The commissioner, who disclosed that symptoms of the killer disease includes sore throat, cough, drooling of saliva, change of voice, neck swelling, abnormal breathing, fever or mouth odour, among others added that the state’s emergency preparedness committees is trying working to assess and provide solution.

According to Tsanyawa, the state’s rapid response team has been spurred to take immediate actions and also check the spread of these growing deadly disease in the state.

“Right now, we have presented a budget for this to the government and it has been approved,” he said.

He added that the low routine immunisation attributed to the spread of the disease was due to the lack of access to some specific areas in the state noting that the state was strengthening its routine immunization.

He said: “Although we used Yargaya for COVID-19 isolation, we have set the place aside for the isolation of diphtheria infection also.

“We also have three cases of LASSA fever in the state now with the index case from Taraba.

“The people should not panic but if they notice any unusual fever, should immediately visit the hospital” he added.

Vanguard/Wumi