At least 44 people have died from a diphtheria outbreak in Zamfara State. In fact, health officials have designated the situation as the Zamfara diphtheria outbreak. Health authorities have recorded 367 clinically suspected cases across parts of the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the State Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Haske, said more than 320 patients had been successfully treated and discharged since the Zamfara diphtheria outbreak.
Haske said laboratory tests on samples collected from suspected patients confirmed the presence of the organism responsible for diphtheria during the ongoing Zamfara diphtheria outbreak.
The samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for further confirmation.
Following the diagnosis, Governor Dauda Lawal directed the Ministry of Health to formally declare the outbreak. The governor also ordered the activation of the Incident Management System to coordinate the response.
Health teams deployed statewide
Haske said rapid response teams had been activated at state and local government levels. Meanwhile, case management was ongoing across all 14 local government areas.
General hospitals have also established isolation centres for patients. Moreover, Gusau Local Government Area, which has recorded the highest number of cases, has about four treatment centres. Importantly, these measures are directly related to the Zamfara diphtheria outbreak.
The director said 320 patients had been treated and discharged. In addition, medication was provided to those who needed to continue treatment at home.
He linked the continued spread partly to active community transmission. Furthermore, he added that children aged between six and 10 were among those most affected.
Haske said the situation remained concerning but treatment outcomes were improving.
Although the number of cases “is still increasing, the number of deaths has reduced. Additionally, many patients are responding positively to treatment,” he said.
He urged residents to remain alert and seek immediate medical care if they notice symptoms associated with diphtheria.
School resumption shifted
The outbreak has also forced the Zamfara State Government to extend the resumption of public and private schools by two weeks.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Abdulmalik Gajam said the decision followed advice from the Ministry of Health. It was also aimed at protecting pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community.
The additional period will allow authorities to strengthen disease surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination verification, public sensitisation and other preventive measures.
Gajam directed school proprietors, administrators and management boards to comply with the order.
Schools were also advised to clean and decontaminate their premises and provide adequate handwashing facilities before reopening.
The government announced September 28 as the tentative new resumption date. However, this is subject to further advice from health authorities and other stakeholders.
