By Ahmad Deedat Zakari
The Jigawa State Government has confirmed the deaths of ten people due to an outbreak of diphtheria in the state, as there are currently about 100 suspected cases of the disease.
The Jigawa State Ministry of Health disclosed on Saturday that ten people have died following an outbreak of diphtheria across the 14 local government areas of the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Jigawa State Ministry of Health, Dr Salisu Mu’azu, disclosed this while fielding questions from reporters in Dutse.
He said that two cases have been confirmed in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas, while some samples have been taken to Abuja for confirmation.
He said the outbreak occurred in areas with zero-dose routine immunisation against the epidemic.
Dr Ma’azu also said the ministry had already investigated, collected necessary information and data in the affected areas, and updated the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for further action.
He said the state government is making arrangements to administer vaccines once available.
Dr. Muazu attributed the outbreak to healthcare service disruptions some years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything was suspended; hence, routine immunisation has become a major challenge in the state.
