As of September 11, 2024, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded about 12,085 suspected cases of diphtheria infections.
However, the agency said that 7,784 were confirmed in 170 local government areas across 21 states out of the suspected cases.
According to the PUNCH, the centre announced this on Wednesday in Abuja, where it said the death toll is 309 with a case fatality rate of 3.9 percent from Kano (169), Bauchi (59), Katsina (52), Borno (19), Yobe (four); Edo (two); Jigawa (two); FCT (one); and Nasarawa (one).
Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and, sometimes, an individual’s skin.
The symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and neck swelling. In severe cases, the NCDC said that a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and at the back of the throat, which is associated with difficulty breathing.
The epidemiology report from week 22 in 2022 to week 35 in 2024 showed that 36,151 suspected cases were reported from 37 states and the FCT across 332 LGAs, while the confirmed cases were 21,938 cases from 26 states across 173 LGAs.
It added that the total number of confirmed deaths was 1,103, with a case fatality rate of 5.0 percent.
The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said, “As a reminder, diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes; through close contacts with, or by touching contaminated objects.
“Symptoms usually begin two to five days after infection and can include fever, chills, sore throat, difficulty breathing, swollen glands in the neck, nasal discharge, fatigue, which can lead to breathing difficulties.
“Early recognition and prompt treatment are critical to managing this disease and preventing severe complications.”
He added that it conducts regular National Emergency Operation Centre meetings and provides operational support to the EOC and the pillars at the sub-national level.
“In collaboration with partners, notably Breakthrough Action – Nigeria, we conducted the development of surveillance and outbreak response guidelines for diphtheria, deployment of DAT and I.V Erythromycin to states and facilities, the establishment of a diphtheria laboratory testing network across states, routine support to state labs with diphtheria testing reagents, and routine monitoring and proficiency testing across the diphtheria laboratory network.
“In collaboration with states, conduct active case search, contact tracing and management, and in partnership with Africa CDC and states, conduct case management and infection prevention and control training for healthcare workers involved in diphtheria treatment.
“In collaboration with NPHCDA, states and partners, the conduct of reactive vaccinations across states, and in collaboration with Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Department, conduct intra-action review/after action review of response activities at national and sub-national levels,” Idris concluded.
