Diphtheria: Death Toll Hits 13 In Kaduna

Afimag.com –

Deaths arising from the outbreak of diphtheria disease in Kaduna have risen to 13 according to the latest official figures.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the corynebacterium species that affect the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.

Some symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

Confirming the outbreak in Markafi LGA, Local Council Health Secretary, Malam Aliyu Alhassan, said the suspected cases occurred at Tashar Na Kawu community in Gubuchi Ward of the area.

He said 10 people have died from the disease in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while 3 children died in Makarfi Local Government Area, while seven others were hospitalised.

According to him, “Affected victims were children and the specimen of the victims was forwarded to Abuja for analysis and those suspected with the disease have been taken to hospital and isolated for medical observation.”

He noted that Kaduna State governments have alerted citizens on the outbreak and directed the Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate cases and take immediate action.

The Chief Epidemiologist, of Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Dr Jeremiah Daikwo, has lamented that some communities in the state were rejecting vaccine against anthrax that broke out in some states.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that affects domestic and wild animals and can infect human beings especially children who may have had contact with infected animals.