Diphtheria Outbreak Confirmed in Kaduna State
A devastating health outbreak has been confirmed in Tukur Tukur settlement, Zaria Local Government of Kaduna state, Nigeria. The diphtheria outbreak has already claimed the lives of three children, with a suspected fourth victim suffering from the disease. According to reports from the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Bello Jamo, the outbreak is attributable to non-compliance with diphtheria vaccination during a routine exercise conducted two months ago.
Dr. Jamo informed that the settlement had the highest rejection rate of the vaccine during the previous routine exercise. Urging the ward leaders and public to scale up sensitisation campaigns on the importance of vaccination, Jamo also assured that the required measures will be taken to contain the spread of the disease.
In response to the urgent situation, a team led by Dr. Jamo visited the community and vaccinated over 1,000 children in the area and scheduled continued vaccination for the next week in surrounding settlements. Local leaders and health officials received a strong plea from Dr. Jamo to increase awareness campaigns among the community about the importance of vaccination.
Corroborating reports from Abdulllahi Sule, Secretary of the local council, indicate that at least one victim died at their home, while the remaining two died following treatment at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika. For her part, ward focal person Fatima Abdullahi assured local residents that her team would remain in the area for a week to combat the disease.
Senior Elder Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, a representative for the Northern Elders Forum, praised the prompt intervention and assured the community’s readiness to commence rigorous awareness campaigns on the significance of vaccine adoption.
With diphtheria on the rise globally, news of this outbreak in Kaduna state serves as a stark reminder of the immense importance of timely vaccination and disease screening.
