Nigeria confirms diphtheria kills 1,191 in 17 months

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Wednesday at least 1,191 persons have been killed by diphtheria across the country in the last 17 months.

The Incident Manager, National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (NCDC), Dr. Muzzammil Gadanya, disclosed this during the National Intra-Action Review Meeting for Diphtheria outbreak in Kaduna.

He said the fatalities were recorded between May 2023 and this month.

Gadanya added that Nigeria has 23,000 confirmed and 38,000 suspected diphtheria cases respectively.

He, however, said there was a significant reduction in diphtheria cases nationwide.

READ ALSO: Diphtheria: Nigeria govt confirms 20 deaths, 156 cases in Kaduna

The NCDC said vaccines were available for routine immunisation and stressed the need for sustain efforts to contain the disease.

In his remark, the Director Healthcare, Nigeria Red Cross, Dr. Manir Jega, said the agency serve as an auxiliary to the government.

He said: ”Since the outbreak of diphtheria , we have supported the government by sending 3,700 community-based volunteers, who also engaged in house to house sensitisation.

“We also sensitised the populace by road shows, educating them on the signs and systems of the disease.”

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