By Mustapha Salisu
About 100 suspected cases of diphtheria infection have been recorded across 13 LGAs of Kano state as at 20th January 2023.
Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa disclosed this to newsmen during a press briefing on Saturday.
According to Tsanyawa, the first case of suspected diphtheria was confirmed on 30th November, 2022 after a laboratory test at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH.
“Upon confirmation, the state Epidemiology unit of the ministry was notified by Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH of the outbreak” he said.
PRIME TIME NEWS gathered that, the 13 LGAs affected include Ungoggo, Nasarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Rano, Dawakin Tofa and Gwarzo respectively.
Tsanyawa disclosed of the 100 suspected cases, 8 were confirmed while awaiting results. 3 of the 8 confirmed have died and 22 among other cases, currently 27 patients are on admission receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged as at 20th January, 2023.
According to Medical experts, Diphtheria is an acute toxic infection caused by Coryno bacterium species and it is contagious.
The infection is a serious infection of the nose and throat that is easily preventable by vaccines.
The Commissioner further explained that, the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and other key stakeholders were notified, NCDC immediately deployed its personnel to Kano to set up an incident command structure to conduct an outbreak investigation for diphtheria, offer technical support and to reactivate operation centre for treatment.
‘’As we speak now, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) popularly known as Doctors without borders, has established a case management centre at Murtala Muhammed Hospital and has been providing essential drugs.
Tsayanwa also said the Ministry is planning to conduct a routine immunization intensification campaign to reach out to all illegible children in the affected LGAs through SPCHMB.
The commissioner added that similarly on the 10th of January, The State Public Health Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) received a report of a suspected case of Lassa fever from MAWTH with the index case from Taraba State.
Tsanyawa said presently, the state rapid response team has been reactivated and an index action plan to check the spread of Lassa is in place.
“10 samples were taken from high-risk contacts of the index, 3 were tested positive making a total of 4 cases currently managed at the AKTH isolation center” the commissioner said.
He noted that, apart from the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital designated as an isolation centre, the state government has activated the Kwanar Dawaki isolation centre to check the spread.
Tsanyawa advised parents and relevant stakeholders to support and cooperate with the state government towards combating the dual outbreaks.
He assured that the government will continue to do everything possible in making sure that all logistics are provided to ensure the protection of the health and well-being of the people of Kano state.
