Nigeria acknowledges new virus epidemic, records 25 deaths

Nigeria reported the onset of a new ailment of the nose and throat, known as Diphtheria, on Friday.

In a public health advice released Friday morning, the Nigeria Centre for Sickness Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed that at least 25 individuals had died from the disease in Kano State, North-West Nigeria.

The disease control centre, however, highlighted that it has reacted to “reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States and is monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe States where cases are also being picked up”.
While the NCDC has yet to provide statistics on the number of illnesses and fatalities documented in the country, Kano State Commissioner for Health, Aminu Tsanyawa, announced on Thursday that the Diphtheria epidemic had killed at least 25 people in the state.

According to the commissioner, the state fast reaction team has been reactivated, and an action plan to combat the spread of the fatal disease in the state has been established.

The NCDC, on the other hand, stated that it is currently collaborating with state health ministries and partners to improve surveillance and response to the epidemic.

Concerning Diphtheria
According to the NCDC, diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial illness caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium species that affects an individual’s nose, throat, and, in rare cases, skin.

Children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine), people who live in a crowded environment, people who live in areas with poor sanitation, and healthcare workers who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria are the people most at risk of contracting diphtheria.
The disease spreads readily between people through direct contact with sick persons, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and items, according to the NCDC.

Diphtheria symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and swelling of the neck. The NCDC stated that in severe cases, a thick grey or white patch occurs on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat, accompanied by difficulties breathing.

Prevention
Concerning disease prevention, the NCDC encouraged parents to ensure that their children are properly immunized against diphtheria with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the childhood immunization schedule.

Individuals with signs and symptoms indicative of diphtheria should isolate themselves and alert the local government area, state disease surveillance officer, or the NCDC via its toll-free number (6232).