According to a World Health Organization report, 21 states in Nigeria have seen at least 557 confirmed cases of diphtheria since the start of 2023.
The number of fatalities has also increased to 73, with a case-fatality ratio of 13%.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was informed of possible diphtheria outbreaks in the states of Kano and Lagos in December 2022.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable illness that primarily spreads by direct touch or respiratory droplets in the air.
All age groups are susceptible to the disease, but unimmunized children are especially vulnerable. It might prove fatal.
In the most recent WHO report on the diphtheria situation in Nigeria, which our correspondent was able to receive on Tuesday, it was noted that 1,439 suspected cases were registered between May 14, 2022, and April 9, 2023.
"The number of confirmed cases rose in January 2023, reaching a peak of more than 150 cases in week four of 2023 (ending January 28). After that, a weekly declining tendency was noticed.
1,439 suspected diphtheria cases were reported from 21 states in Nigeria between May 14, 2022, and April 9, 2023. The bulk (83%) of the cases were reported from Kano (1,188), Yobe (97), Katsina (61), Lagos (25), Sokoto (14) and Zamfara (13).
Out of the 1,439 suspected cases, 557 (or 39% of them) were confirmed (51 by laboratory confirmation, 504 by clinical compatibility, and two by epidemiological linkage), 483 (or 34% of them) were discarded, and 399 (or 28% of them) are still awaiting classification.
State reports of cases with laboratory confirmation came from Kano (45), Lagos (3), Kaduna (1), Katsina (1), and Osun (1).
"73 fatalities were reported among the 557 confirmed cases, for a CFR of 13%. Increased access of diphtheria antitoxin is one reason why the CFR has decreased dramatically since the outbreak's start, according to the paper.
You must be logged in to post a comment.