(Health): Diphtheria Cases in Nigeria Rises to 216 with 40 People Dead

In Nigeria, Diphtheria cases has risen to 216 as confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The cases were confirmed in Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, and Osun states. It was also gathered that the death toll has increased to 40 across the country.

The NCDC also said the suspected cases in the country are now 523. Lead of the Diphtheria/Pertussis Technical Working Group in the NCDC, Dr Bola Lawal who confirmed the development, said the health agency was notified of suspected diphtheria outbreaks from Kano state and Lagos state and the rapid response team was deployed to the states on December 12, 2022, after the disease was confirmed.

According to him, Kano state has recorded 396 suspected cases with 211 confirmed cases, Yobe state has recorded 78 suspected cases with two confirmed cases; Katsina has 34 suspected cases but no confirmed case yet; Lagos state has recorded 14 suspected cases and two confirmed cases; and Osun state has one confirmed case so far. 40 deaths were recorded with a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual. Diphtheria spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

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