The Imo State government has dismissed reports on social media that a student from Technical Training College in Irete, Owerri West, died from diphtheria.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, described the claims as false and misleading. In a statement, she said the Ministry of Health investigated the rumour and found that the case being referred to was not diphtheria-related.
She explained that the student’s condition was suspected to be a type of cancer, but it is yet to be confirmed.
“There is no connection between the student’s condition and any communicable disease outbreak,” the commissioner said.
Dr Egu confirmed that the Department of Public Health had already responded by following public health best practices. She said active surveillance in the school and the entire local government showed no sign of a diphtheria outbreak.
She assured parents, guardians, and residents that there was no reason to panic, stressing that the situation is under control.
The commissioner also warned against spreading unverified information, especially around schools.
“Misinformation can fuel unnecessary panic and undermine the work of our health professionals,” she said.
