In a tragic turn of events, Jigawa State has been hit by an outbreak of diphtheria, with at least 10 people losing their lives.
The outbreak has spread across 14 local government areas, raising concerns among health officials and the local population.
The State Ministry of Health officially confirmed the outbreak during a press briefing held in Dutse on a somber Sunday.
Dr. Salisu Mu’azu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, revealed that, as of now, two cases have been officially confirmed in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas.
However, the situation is far from contained as an alarming 91 suspected cases are under investigation, with samples sent to Abuja for confirmation. What makes this outbreak particularly troubling is that it has struck areas with a history of zero-dose routine immunization against diphtheria.
“So far, we have confirmed two cases in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas, while additional samples have been sent to Abuja for confirmation,” he said.
Dr. Mu’azu emphasized the urgency of the situation, prompting the ministry to launch a swift investigation, collecting crucial information and data from the affected regions.
Authorities wasted no time in alerting the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to coordinate a comprehensive response.
“The state government is actively preparing to administer vaccines as soon as they become available”, Mu’azu stressed the urgency of the situation.
The roots of this outbreak can be traced to the disruptions in healthcare services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of routine immunization during that period has posed a significant challenge in combating such epidemics.
In response, the NPHDA and NCDC have taken a proactive approach, closely monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with the State Ministry of Health to ensure a swift and effective response aimed at containing the outbreak.
Local communities have been urged to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to any directives issued by health authorities to mitigate the further spread of diphtheria.
The tragic loss of lives in Jigawa State serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust healthcare systems, even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
