Two Deaths Reported in Edo State Due to Diphtheria
In a worrying development, the Edo State Government has announced that two persons have died from diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, in the state. According to Stephenson Ojeifo, the Director of Public Health in the Edo State Ministry of Health, the deaths occurred between January and August 2024.
The Director attributed the deaths to the late presentation of the affected individuals to the hospital for treatment, emphasizing the importance of timely medical attention. "We urge mothers and carers to ensure their children are vaccinated, as the vaccine is free and protects against childhood-preventable diseases that can cause death," Ojeifo said.
The state recorded 20 suspected cases of diphtheria between January and August 2024, with six cases confirmed positive and two resulting in fatalities. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) provided the state with diphtheria antitoxins, which were used on patients who received early treatment.
Ojeifo highlighted that the antitoxins are not sold in the market, but the state was able to secure some from the NCDC. The ministry still has some vaccines in stock, and there is no suspected active case of the disease in Edo at present.
Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and less often the skin, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, and swelling of the neck glands.
The Edo State Government’s announcement serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and timely medical attention in preventing the spread of preventable diseases.
