The Kaduna State Government confirms that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak has risen to 17, with 68 suspected cases identified across the state as of Sunday.
14 of the deaths occurred in the Kafanchan and Jema’a Local Government Areas (LGAs), while three occurred in the Makarfi LGA.
Dr Jeremiah Daikwo, Chief Epidemiologist of the state Ministry of Health, provided an update on the diphtheria outbreak, explaining that the results of 20 samples collected and sent for analysis by the ministry were awaiting analysis, while the 48 cases admitted were in stable condition.
Daikwo revealed that 12 patients were admitted to the Makarfi General Hospital, 35 were admitted to the Kafanchan General Hospital, and one patient was admitted to the Kubau Primary Health Centre.
According to Channels Television, the index case was a four-year-old male child whose illness began on July 4 in Jema’a LGA.
Concerning the ministry’s response to the disease’s spread, the chief epidemiologist stated that the ministry had increased its search for active cases through contact tracing, risk communication activities, and the transfer of affected cases to a health facility for management.
He also revealed that the ministry had increased surveillance activities across the state’s 23 LGAs, as well as risk communication activities such as compound meetings and dialogue with heads of households and community leaders.
