Nigeria is facing a dangerous outbreak of diphtheria, with health authorities confirming the outbreak on Friday, January 20th. The state of Kano, located in the north of the country, is one of the worst-hit areas, with Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa, the health commission for the state, reporting more than 70 suspected cases and 25 deaths related to the bacterial infection. The total number of confirmed cases and deaths is not yet known.
Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has initiated an emergency response to the outbreak and is monitoring the situation in four of the nation’s 36 states. The authorities were first alerted about an outbreak among children in Kano state in late December, according to the state’s chief epidemiologist.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes breathing difficulties, heart failure, and paralysis. The people most at risk are unvaccinated or those living in areas with poor sanitation. Nigeria has not had an outbreak of diphtheria of this magnitude in recent years, and the nation’s capacity to diagnose the disease and treat patients is limited in many remote areas.
Diphtheria is preventable through vaccination, and health officials are urging the public to ensure that they and their children are properly vaccinated to protect against this serious disease.
Why diphtheria is dangerous for people in Nigeria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening complications. The bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria produces a toxin that can damage the heart, nerves, and kidneys.
The most common symptoms of diphtheria are a thick gray or white coating in the back of the throat, difficulty swallowing, and a low-grade fever. However, the infection can also cause more severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties, heart failure, and paralysis. If left untreated, diphtheria can lead to severe complications such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), neuropathies (nerve damage), and even death.
The people most at risk of severe complications from diphtheria are unvaccinated or those living in areas with poor sanitation.
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