Jigawa State, located in northern Nigeria, has recently experienced a surge in suspected cases of diphtheria. The state’s Ministry of Health revealed that there have been a total of 91 reported cases across 14 local government areas. This concerning development was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary of the Jigawa Ministry of Health, Dr. Salisu Muazu, during a press briefing in the state capital, Dutse, on Saturday.
Over the past four months, several states in the north, including Kano, Yobe, Katsina, and Bauchi, have been grappling with a diphtheria outbreak, which has now spread to Jigawa State. Two weeks ago, the state began receiving patients exhibiting symptoms of diphtheria in the 14 affected local government areas, as the infection had already taken hold in the neighboring states. Dr. Muazu revealed that samples from 91 individuals were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for testing, with two samples confirmed to be positive for diphtheria. These positive samples originated from the Kazaure and Jahun local government areas of Jigawa State.
The permanent secretary further explained that most of the affected individuals had either not received complete immunization or had never received any childhood immunization doses. Shockingly, Jigawa State had been free from diphtheria for the past decade, unlike the neighboring states currently battling the epidemic. Dr. Muazu speculated that the breakdown of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the reappearance of the disease in the state.
As a response to this alarming situation, the government of Jigawa State has taken proactive measures. Plans have been finalized to conduct mop-up immunization campaigns in the affected local government areas. Dr. Muazu emphasized the crucial role of parents and community leaders in supporting and cooperating with healthcare workers during these campaigns. He also urged residents to promptly report any individuals displaying symptoms of diphtheria to Disease Notification Officers in their local government areas or to the nearest health facility.
