Diphtheria Outbreak In Kano; 25 Feared Dead, Mostly Children

The diphtheria disease outbreak in Kano state has resulted in at least 25 deaths, predominantly in youngsters. The outbreak was announced on Thursday by the commissioner for health, Aminu Tsanyawa. The bacterial strains known as Corynebacterium diphtheriae that cause diphtheria, produce toxins.

The illness has the potential to cause respiratory problems, irregular heartbeats, and even death.

Sore throat, coughing, drooling, neck swelling, irregular breathing, fever, and mouth odor are some of its symptoms.

Children, infants, teenagers, and adults who have diphtheria should be vaccinated, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Tsanyawa stated that an emergency preparation committee (EPC) has been established by the state health ministry and is currently meeting “with a view to examining the casualty figures, reviewing the data, and strategies to address the situation.”

Currently, an action plan to stop the spread of the deadly disease in the state has been indexed and the Kano State Rapid Response Team has been revived, according to the commissioner.

At this time, the government has approved the budget we proposed for this.

The difficult-to-reach locations in the state are to blame for the low routine immunization rates ascribed to the disease’s spread. The state is, however, stepping up standard immunization.

With assistance from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Kano State administration established a diphtheria treatment facility at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where the active cases are being treated.

Tsanyawa noted that the state has launched a program to raise public awareness of the diphtheria illness.