Health Alert: Abuja administration confirms outbreak of diphtheria

Authorities in Abuja have confirmed the outbreak of diphtheria, a deadly infectious disease, in the federal capital.

A four-year-old child in the Dei Dei area of the city died from the infection, they said Monday.

– Key points to note

Diphtheria is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease which spreads between people mainly by direct contact or through the air via respiratory droplets.

The disease causes breathing and heart rhythm problems and can lead to death. Symptoms of the disease include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

The disease spreads through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

It can be treated by administering diphtheria antitoxin as well as antibiotics.

– Why it matters

Between May 2022 and April 2023, Nigeria recorded 557 confirmed cases and 73 deaths.

– Learn more

The infection had earlier been confirmed in Kano, Lagos and Ondo, said Sadiq Abdulrahman, director, FCT public health department.

He said the National Centre for Disease Control had responded to the outbreak.

The executive secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Yahaya Vatsa, said unvaccinated people and those living in crowded and unhygienic environments were at high risk of contracting the disease.

“To reduce the risk of contracting the disease, FCT residents are hereby advised to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine,” he said.

He added that the FCTA, through the PHCB, had concluded plans to revaccinate all children bellow 14 years in the affected communities.

Vatsa said children of six weeks to four years would receive Penta vaccine, while children between four years and 14 years would receive Td vaccine.

Vatsa advised individuals with any of the signs and symptoms to isolate themselves and notify the FCT Disease Surveillance Notification Officer or the Emergency Operation Center, through the FCT Call Center toll-free lines.

He said close contacts with infected cases are being closely monitored with prophylactic antibiotics.