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

Airports Authority Defends New Cashless System

Nigeria’s airport authority on Tuesday defended its move to enforce electronic payments nationwide, saying the policy is designed to plug revenue leakages and improve accountability amid increased scrutiny of government agencies’ finances. The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,

Oyedele to Replace Uzoka-Anite as Finance State Minister

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated tax expert Taiwo Oyedele as minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Uzoka-Anite, in a cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday. Uzoka-Anite has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as minister of state,

Trump Sanctions Rwanda Military Over DR Congo Conflict

US President, Donald Trump on Monday imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s defence forces and four senior military officials over their alleged role in the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling for an immediate withdrawal from the volatile, mineral-rich region.
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

Globacom Renews Sponsorship of 2025 Ofala Festival, Reaffirms Support for Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage

Telecommunications giant Globacom Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting
Oby Ezekwesili Berates Nigerian Senate Over Natasha’s Suspension

Without Good Governance Economic Development Will Continue To Elude Africa – Ezekwesili

Former Nigeria's Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has underscored