LARA ADEJORO FROM PUNCH
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday confirmed reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano states.
The NCDC also said it was monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe states where cases are now being picked up.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae which makes a toxin. It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick.
The infection affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, the skin of an individual.
Diphtheria is fatal in five to 10 per cent of cases, with a higher mortality rate in young children.
As of January 13, no fewer than 25 persons have been killed by the infectious disease, with 58 suspected cases in Kano state.
Data from the NCDC showed that there was an outbreak of the disease in Borno state in 2011 with a total of 98 cases, and 21 deaths (case fatality ratio was 21.4 per cent).
Also, in 2018 and 2019, no fewer than 1,870 and 2,289 cases were reported respectively.
In Nigeria, the burden of diphtheria is underestimated due to the limited capacity for laboratory confirmation and inadequate surveillance, the country’s national public health institute said.
Transmission
Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. People can also get sick from touching infected clothes, objects, or open sores.
Risk factors
People who are at increased risk of contracting diphtheria are children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine).
Others at risk are people who live in a crowded environment, people who live in areas with poor sanitation, healthcare workers, and others who are exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria.
