Nigeria faces 2nd wave of diphtheria outbreak: WHO

Infectious disease has spread to 6 states, says UN agency

By Olanrewaju Kola

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria is currently facing a second wave of diphtheria, four months after an outbreak was reported, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Friday.

It said the second wave of the infectious disease is reported in six states: Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, Kaduna and Borno -- bringing reported cases to 4,717.

“The majority (99.4 per cent) of suspected cases were reported from Kano (1816), Katsina (234), Yobe (158), Bauchi (79), Kaduna (45) and Borno (33),” said WHO.

The UN agency said 1,074 (22.8%) of total confirmed cases were fully vaccinated against diphtheria while 299 (6.3%) were partially vaccinated.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by a specific bacteria that affects the nose, throat and sometimes the skin.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate announced the constitution of an emergency task force to curb the further spread of the disease.

He advised Nigerians to take necessary prevention like washing hands regularly and maintaining good hygiene.

Kaynak: