THE Kaduna State Government reports that as of today, there were 68 suspected cases of diphtheria in the state, bringing the total number of fatalities from the outbreak to 17.
Out of the total numbers, three fatalities occurred in the Makarfi Local Government Area (LGA) and 14 deaths were reported in the Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA).
The state’s chief epidemiologist, Dr. Jeremiah Daikwo, provided an update on the diphtheria outbreak by saying that the 48 cases who had been admitted were in stable condition and that results from 20 samples that the ministry had collected and sent for analysis were still pending.
Reports reveal an index case of a four-year-old boy whose illness began on July 4 in the Jema’a LGA.
According to the ministry’s chief epidemiologist, the ministry has increased its search for active cases through contact tracing, risk communication initiatives, and the transfer of afflicted cases to the health institution for management.
He also revealed that the ministry had intensified surveillance activities across the 23 LGAs of the state, while risk communication activities such as compound meetings, and dialogue with heads of households and community leaders had also been intensified.
