HealthNewsNigeriaSuspected Diphtheria Cases Hit 180 In Bauchi, Claim Lives Of 26

The Bauchi State Ministry of Health has confirmed the diphtheria disease has claimed the lives of 26 persons with 180 suspected cases of the disease recorded across the state.

Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA) disclosed this Friday while giving an update on the diphtheria outbreak in Bauchi State during USAID-IHP Media Engagement on the 2023 Bauchi State budget performance held in Bauchi.

“As at August 23, 2023, a total of 180 suspected cases were reported in 10 LGAs, 26 deaths recorded, out of the total deaths, four are confirmed cases while 22 others are suspected cases which is why WHO is supporting the reactive vaccination for aged zero to 14 years”.

“A total of 180 suspected cases were reported from Bauchi (07), Dambam (32), Darazo(2) Itas-Gadau (5), Jama’are (104), Katagum (17), Misau (9), Ganjuwa(1), Giade (1) and Ningi (1) LGAs. Of the 180 suspected cases reported 7 (3.9%) were lab confirmed and 166 were clinically compatible”.

“A total of 26 deaths were recorded among suspected, confirmed cases (CFR- 14.40%). 10 LGAs reported at least a case, totalling 180 suspected cases in Bauchi Srate. Jama’are LGA accounted for 57.8% of the diphtheria cases.

“The ages of the suspected/ confirmed cases were 0–55 years while two deaths were recorded among the 7 confirmed cases (CFR: 28.60%), 12 (11.5%) of the total cases reported from Jama’are LGA where they were partially vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine,” Mohammed said.

The chairman stated that disease surveillance team has been deployed for active case search across the state and the suspected cases were being investigated to ascertain the confirmed cases, adding that health personnel had been trained to handle the outbreak.

He explained that the state had commenced a vaccination exercise in some local government areas in order to contain the outbreak.

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Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent)

Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.

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