The Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani, has alerted residents of the outbreak of diphtheria disease in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jama’a Local Government Area of the state.
On Thursday, five children within the ages of one to 13 years, were reported to have died in Kafanchan following outbreak of what residents of the area described a “strange disease.”
In a statement on Friday in Kaduna spokespersons of the the governor, Mohammed Shehu, said the state ministry of health, confirmed the disease to be diphtheria.
He said, the confirmation came after several reports were made about residents in Takau Ward, Kafanchan A and Kafanchan B wards, exhibiting symptoms listed as difficulty in breathing, high fever, cough, general body weakness, sore throat, and neck swelling.
The statement said, “Upon learning about the unfortunate loss of lives in the affected communities, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State immediately directed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate these cases.
“A preliminary report from the Ministry revealed that the outbreak of diphtheria in Kafanchan had its first recorded case in the beginning of July, 2023.”
Shehu said the governor has directed the state ministry of health to continue to carry out its task diligently to ensure that the disease is contained and subsequently eradicated.
According to the statement, “Actions taken by the ministry so far include the movement of affected cases to adequately equipped hospitals for proper management, active case searches, contact tracing and intensive community sensitization in all affected communities and surrounding areas.”
The statement advised residents to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease and protect communities.
The governor urged residents to ensure that: “they wash their hands frequently with soap and water; avoid close contact with people who are sick; cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing; stay home from work or school if they are sick; stay active and walk everyday to boost immunity; and eport any suspected cases of diphtheria in their surrounding communities.”
