61 die in diphtheria outbreak in Kano, says NCDC
Diphtheria has claimed 61 lives in Kano as the outbreak of the disease worsens in the state.
According to Salma Suwaid, the Kano diphtheria case manager, at least 61 individuals have lost their lives to the diphtheria outbreak in Kano state.
She spoke during a webinar organized by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with the theme ‘Diptheria outbreak in Nigeria: Vaccination Response’.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the corynebacterium species that affects an individual’s nose, throat, and sometimes, skin.
The symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.
At the moment, a total of 783, with 360 males and 423 females, have been admitted to hospitals in Kano. The average hospital stay of the patients is four days.
Suwaid also disclosed that 83% of deaths occurred in patients that had developed symptoms for more than three days, with an average of 15 admission days.
She added that 68% of patients have been discharged, 1.66% absconded, and 12.2% died.
Apart from clinical and immunisation interventions, risk communication engagement activities are also carried out in affected communities.
Structures put in place for COVID are also being leveraged to ensure an effective response.