Diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, the skin of an individual, has taken a deadly toll in Lagos and 3 other states in Nigeria with rising cases of infections and casualties.
There are already three death cases and 5 Ingected cases recorded in Lagos with Kano state recording more than 100 confirmed infections and 32 deaths cases.
People who majorly live in crowded conditions, and unhygienic environments, including children, and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the vaccine have a higher chance of transmitting the infection.
To reduce the risk of contracting the disease, the NCDC advised Nigerians to ensure their children are fully vaccinated with three doses of the vaccine as recommended in the childhood immunization schedule.
Healthcare workers are advised to get vaccinated against the disease as those who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases are also carrier agents of the disease.
Transmission is through direct contact with infected people, contaminated clothing, objects, or even coughing and sneezing from a disease-ridden person. An infected individual left untreated can be contagious for up to four weeks, and symptoms will start appearing from 2-10 days after you got exposed to the bacteria.
In case an individual notice these signs and wants to ignore them, it is important to note that untreated diphtheria has severe complications. It requires immediate medical attention as delay in treatment can lead to death.
Individuals exhibiting symptoms of the disease have also been advised to immediately isolate themselves and to inform their local government, the state surveillance officer or the NCDC.
This Diphtheria infection has sprung up earlier in 2011 with the highest number of cases documented in the Northeastern region
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The NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Priscilla Ibekwe, made the disclosure on Monday, 23rd January 2023 at the ministerial briefing organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja.
She noted that NCDC is supporting states by providing antitoxins for the treatment of confirmed cases and that with the support of partners, it had organized a workshop for laboratory scientists in states to increase diagnostic capacity for the disease.
She also added that diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, urging Nigerians to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against the disease with the prescribed three doses of the pentavalent vaccine.