Dr. Iorhen Akase, an expert in infectious diseases, emphasizes the importance of intensifying awareness and vaccination campaigns to combat the outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria. He points out that the current outbreak highlights the urgent need for more children to receive the DTC (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. Akase stresses that immunization should be prioritized, especially given the socio-economic disparities that hinder access to proper nutrition and breastfeeding. He urges the government to enhance awareness and promote the uptake of the DTC vaccine.
Recently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) alerted the public about a diphtheria outbreak affecting children in four states. According to Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director General of NCDC, this bacterial infection has resulted in at least 35 fatalities across the country, with Kano State accounting for 25 of those deaths. Diphtheria, caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, can lead to severe complications, including difficulty breathing, heart rhythm issues, and even death. The disease spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, similar to other viral infections.
The American Centre for Disease Control outlines that symptoms of diphtheria include mild fever, weakness, sore throat, and swollen neck glands, which typically appear two to ten days after exposure to the bacteria. The bacteria produce a toxin that damages healthy tissues in the respiratory system. Within two to three days, this dead tissue forms a thick, grey coating in the throat or nose, obstructing breathing and swallowing. If the toxin enters the bloodstream, it can cause damage to the heart, nerves, and kidneys.
In an interview with HealthWise, Akase, a consultant infectious diseases physician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, noted that the emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases indicates a decline in vaccination rates within affected communities. He described diphtheria as a preventable disease and stated that outbreaks signal compromised vaccination efforts and immunity. Akase called on the government to educate the public about the necessity of vaccination and to increase the uptake of the DPT vaccine in outbreak areas, while also ensuring prompt treatment for identified cases.
While he acknowledges that nutrition and breastfeeding can enhance immunity in children, who are particularly vulnerable to diphtheria, he asserts that vaccination is the most reliable method to curb the spread of the disease. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also provides herd immunity, safeguarding those who are less covered in the community. Akase advocates for strengthening primary health care services, immunization programs, and vaccination initiatives in the affected regions. He emphasizes the need for community awareness about the outbreak and its symptoms, enabling swift action when cases arise. At the family level, he urges unvaccinated individuals to receive their vaccinations. He reassures the public that there is no need for panic, as diphtheria is not a new organism in the environment; rather, the key difference lies in individual immunity.
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