TheNewsGuru

Tag: Diphtheria

  • Three die, many sick as strange illness hit kano communities

    Three die, many sick as strange illness hit kano communities

    An infection identified by medical personnel as diphtheria as hit communities in Kano leaving about three persons dead.

    The number of persons infected with the disease rose from 25 to 100 in just about two weeks.

    Reports  say Three persons in 13 local government areas of the state have given up the ghost in different communities in the state while some are still battling with it.

    This was made known by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa,  during the press conference on Diphtheria and Lassa fever outbreaks in the state.

    He said the epidemiology unit of the ministry was notified by Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital of the suspected cases of Diphtheria, prompting the ministry to mobilize its team to commence investigation.

    “As at 20th of January 2023 we have recorded 100 suspected cases from 13 local government areas which are Ungogo, Nassarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Tofa, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Rano, and Gwarzo respectively, Of the 100 suspected cases, 8 were confirmed, while waiting more results. We have lost 3 among 8 confirmed and 22 among other suspected cases,” he added.

    Tsanyawa further said currently 27 patients are receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged successfully.

    The commissioner also said on 10 January, the Public Health Emergency Operation Center received a report of suspected case of Lassa fever from Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital.

    He said a team was deployed to investigate and samples were taken for laboratory tests before they returned positive three days later.

    “10 samples were taken from the high-risk contacts of the index case, 3 become positive making a total of 4 cases currently managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital isolation center,” Dr. Tsanyawa said.

    The commissioner also said the Kano State Government activated the Kwanar Dawaki Isolation Center for isolating the Lassa fever cases, adding that staff of ‘Yargaya have been trained and transferred to the isolation center with drugs and consumables.

    He pointed out that the ministry, through the primary health care management board, is planning to conduct a routine immunization intensification campaign to reach out to all eligible children in the affected local government areas.

    Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death. CDC recommends vaccines for infants, children, teens, and adults to prevent diphtheria.

  • Kano Govt Confirms outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 LGs

    Kano Govt Confirms outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 LGs

    The Kano State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The state commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, stated this at a briefing on Diphtheria and Lassa fever outbreaks in the state on Saturday.

    He said that 100 suspected cases have been recorded out of which three have died.

    “As at 20th of January 2023 we we have recorded 100 suspected cases from 13 local government areas.

    ”Ungogo, Nassarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Tofa, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Kiru, Rano, and Gwarzo.

    ”Out of the 100 suspected cases, eight were confirmed, while we are awaiting more results.

    “We have lost three lives among the eight confirmed cases.”

    Tsanyawa said currently 27 patients were on admission receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged.

    The commissioner noted that on the Jan. 10, the public Health Emergency operation center received a report of suspected case of Lassa fever from Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano.

    He said that a team was deployed to investigate, sample was taken for laboratory test and three days later the result turned positive for Lassa fever.

    “10 samples were taken from the high-risk contacts of the index case, 3 become positive making a total of 4 cases which is currently managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital isolation center,”Tsanyawa said.

    The commissioner maintained that Kano state government had activated Kwanar Dawaki isolation center for isolating the Lassa fever cases.

    He added that medical personnel have been trained and transferred to the isolation center where drugs and consumables were propositioned and is fully functional.

    He pointed out that the state would conduct a Routine immunisation campaign to the affected local government areas.

  • Nigerians placed on alert as new disease scare hits Lagos, Kano

    Nigerians placed on alert as new disease scare hits Lagos, Kano

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed Nigerians on alert, following response to reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States.

    This is contained in a public health advisory signed by NCDC Director -General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, issued on Friday.

    The director-general said that the centre is also monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe.

    Adetifa also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for diphtheria by being vigilant and looking out for symptoms of  the infection.

    The centre further urged Nigerians to ensure that their wards are fully vaccinated against diphtheria with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the country’s childhood immunisation schedule.

    Adetifa said Kano state has 78 suspected cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection  in 14 local government areas of the state.

    The state government said that 27 samples had been taken to the laboratory out of which eight were confirmed positive and three deaths were registered in the state.

    Adetifa said that diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, skin of an individual.

    According to the NCDC, the symptoms of diphtheria include; fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conjunctivitis) , and neck swelling.

    “In severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing,” he said.

    He said that the agency’s is also monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe states where cases were now being picked up.

    “Data from the Kano State Ministry of Health revealed that the diphtheria outbreak has so far killed 25 people with 58 suspected cases and six persons on admission,” he said.

    The NCDC boss-said in addition to clinically suspected cases, 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.

    He said people most at risk of contracting diphtheria are: children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine).

    Ithers, he said, are people who live in a crowded environment, people who live in areas with poor sanitation and healthcare workers and others who are exposed to suspected/confirmed cases of diphtheria.

    The NCDC director-general said that diphtheria spreads easily between people through; direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

    “Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria were also advised to isolate themselves and notify the local government area , state disease surveillance officer (DSNO) or the NCDC.,” he said.