In Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, an outbreak of diphtheria disease has led to the deaths of at least six people, primarily children, and 12 others have been hospitalized.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mohammed Shehu, disclosed this information in a statement on Thursday. The outbreak affected three wards in the LGA: Takau, Kafanchan A, and Kafanchan B.
Symptoms exhibited by the affected individuals included difficulty breathing, high fever, cough, weakness, sore throat, and neck swelling. The first reported case was a four-year-old boy who fell ill on July 4 and died within 48 hours.
Subsequently, five out of 17 new cases in the three wards also succumbed to the disease, and twelve others are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
In response to the loss of lives in the affected communities, Governor Uba Sani has directed the State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate the cases, ensure proper management of affected patients, and conduct active contact tracing.
Additionally, intensive community sensitization will take place in all affected areas and their surroundings.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has advised residents to take preventive measures to halt the spread of the disease and protect their communities. These measures include regular handwashing with soap and water, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and covering mouths and noses while coughing or sneezing.
The ministry also advises staying home from work or school if feeling unwell, maintaining physical activity, and reporting any suspected cases of diphtheria in the surrounding communities.
Governor Uba Sani commended health officials for their prompt response to the health emergency and urged them to continue their diligent efforts to contain and ultimately eradicate the disease.
