Diphtheria Kills 26 In Yobe
Yobe State government has confirmed the death of 26 patients who contracted diphtheria disease in the state.
21 people are still receiving meditation at various isolation facilities.
The senior special assistant to the governor, Doctor Lawan Gana Newsmen that so far 289 patients have been discharged across facilities in the state.
“Regarding diphtheria disease, we have 21 active cases, 26 deaths, while 289 have been discharged as of 17th July 2023. We have 336 cumulative numbers from 2022 to 2023,” he said.
The outbreak of the disease which became a matter of concern in the last three weeks has affected seven local government areas of the state.
Doctor Gana further explained prevention and control measures such as advocacies, sensitization and mobilization of communities are ongoing to curtail the spread of the diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria which is currently ravaging the country is now recorded in the state with the highest case recorded in nguru, bursari, potiskum, tarmuwa, damaturu, gulani and nangere lgas” he said.
The government frowned at the outbreak of the disease to zero-dose vaccination households.
However, he said the state ministry of health is identifying these households for vaccination of those under two years.
He also revealed government is intensifying training of clinical staff to effectively manage the cases especially now that the rainy season has set in. Cases of malaria are also feared to complicate the diphtheria outbreak.
