Diphtheria has been confirmed as a deadly outbreak in Nigeria by health officials on Friday (Jan.20).
According to Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa, the health commission for Kano state has documented more than 70 suspected cases and 25 deaths associated with the bacterial infection. Kano state is one of the worst-affected states in the nation’s north.
It is unknown how many deaths and confirmed cases there have been overall.
The outbreak was addressed urgently by Nigeria’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which also said it was keeping an eye on the situation in four of the country’s 36 states.
According to the state’s top epidemiologist, Kano state’s outbreak among children was first reported to the authorities in late December.
Diphtheria results in paralysis, heart failure, and breathing problems. The population most at risk is that which is unvaccinated, resides in unsanitary areas, or both.
A diphtheria outbreak of this size has not recently occurred in Nigeria. In many remote areas, the nation’s ability to identify the illness and treat patients is constrained.
