…..More than 20 deaths recorded as FG urges adherence to safety measures,
By Pearlrose Eberechi
The Federal Government has urged the general public to take adequate measures to stop the spread of Diphtheria, a bacterial infection which has claimed more than twenty lives since its outbreak a few ago.
The Director General / Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA Dr. Rufus Ebegba said this in a press statement issued to journalists.
He stated that the advise is important because of the risk the disease poses to the country adding that one way to stop the spread is to report suspected cases to relevant government health agencies.
“It is very important that Nigerians should be aware of the health risk Diphtheria disease poses and take caution by adhering to safety measures as the disease spreads further.
“The public can help stop the spread by reporting any case or symptom of Diphtheria to the nearest medical facility, National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and other relevant Government Agency nearest to them.
“The symptoms for Diphtheria infection include sore throat, cough, drooling of saliva, change of voice, neck swelling, abnormal breathing, fever or mouth odour, among others.
“This illness can be transmitted from infected Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.
“Those at increased risk of getting sick include people in the same household, people with a history of frequent/close contact with the patient and people directly exposed to secretions from the suspected infection site (e.g., mouth, skin) of the patient.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Center for Disease and Control ( NCDC) said it had responded to reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States and closely monitoring suspected cases in Osun and Yobe States.
NCDC Director General,Dr Ifedayo Adetifa said ” There have been laboratory confirmed cases and the NCDC is working with State Ministries of Health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak.
” This includes keeping the public informed on staying safe at home and in their communities.”
NCDC said children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine ( a diphtheria toxoid – containing vaccine) are at risk of contacting the disease.
0thers at risk include those who live in crowded environment, people who live in area with poor sanitation and health workers exposed to suspected/ confirmed cases of diphtheria.
