Suggestions




Nigeria Records 216 Confirmed Diphtheria Cases – NCDC

February 15, 2023
by
NCDC

Nigeria has recorded 216 diphtheria cases and 40 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, the skin of an individual.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium species, mainly by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae and rarely by toxin-producing strains of C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis.

While confirming the figures during a webinar entitled ‘Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria: A Case of Re-Emergence or Improved Surveillance”, the Lead of the Diphtheria/Pertussis Technical Working Group in the NCDC, Dr Bola Lawal said suspected cases in the country are now 523 from five states.

He disclosed some of the states affected including: Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, and Osun states.

Lawal also noted that NCDC is currently supporting the response activities in Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Osun, and Yobe, among other states

READ ALSO: Diphtheria – Things You Need To Know

The breakdown of cases according to Lawal showed that “Kano state recorded 396 suspected cases with 211 confirmed cases, Yobe state 78 suspected cases with two confirmed cases; Katsina has 34 suspected cases but no confirmed case yet; while Lagos has recorded 14 suspected cases and two confirmed cases; and Osun state one confirmed case.

He added that the country has a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent, he said: “Of the 216 confirmed cases, 184 (85.2 per cent) were aged two to 14 years from both genders. Out of the 216 confirmed cases, 27 were fully vaccinated, 84 were unvaccinated and 20 were partly vaccinated.

According to the NCDC, Diphtheria manifests as laryngitis, pharyngitis or tonsillitis and is associated with the presence of an adherent membrane covering the tonsils, pharynx and/or nose. Beyond the respiratory symptoms, approximately a quarter of cases may develop heart problems.

Peter Okoye, PBA Journalism Mentee
+ posts

Peter Okoye, PBA Journalism Mentee

Related Posts

Naira Vs Dollar: What To Expect This Week (2nd - 6th June 2025) 
Previous Story

How Currency, FX Crises Harm Nigerians – Economist Tackles CBN On Food Price Claims

Next Story

2023 Presidential Election: Is This The Year Of The Young Voter?

Featured Stories

Related Posts

Latest from News

Rivers Communities Celebrate Electricity After Two Decades

Residents of Etche Local Government Area in Rivers State are celebrating as electricity flows into their communities for the first time in more than 20 years. The supply comes from Aba Power electricity distribution company, based in Aba, Abia State. “My joy knows

FCT Polls: APC Dominance Masks Deeper Questions for 2027

The latest area council elections in Nigeria’s capital have delivered a familiar headline—victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress—but beneath the surface, the results point to more complex political undercurrents that may shape the road to 2027. Across the six area councils
Naira Vs Dollar: What To Expect This Week (2nd - 6th June 2025) 
Previous Story

How Currency, FX Crises Harm Nigerians – Economist Tackles CBN On Food Price Claims

Next Story

2023 Presidential Election: Is This The Year Of The Young Voter?

Don't Miss

Emmanuel Amuneke

2024/2025 Season: Heartland Turns To Emmanuel Amuneke

After relegation from Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season,
3 Scientists Professors Win 2023 Nobel Prize For Physics

Three Scientists Win 2023 Nobel Prize For Physics

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden has