The Federal Government has publicly cautioned citizens about diphtheria and emphasised that everyone is susceptible to contracting the disease.
The Health Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Health, in a public advisory issued, stated that the disease, a life-threatening infection caused by bacteria, is easily transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing and contact with open sore/blister/wound on the skin.
The advisory, therefore, warned that everyone is at risk of getting infected with diphtheria, especially children under five years and adults above 60 years.
It further stated that children who have not completed three doses of the Pentavalent vaccination, people living in crowded areas, people that practice poor personal hygiene and people living in areas with poor environmental hygiene and sanitary condition are also vulnerable.
“Additionally, people with weak immune systems, people that travel to infected areas, people living in areas with poor access to health facilities, people caring or having close contact with infected persons with diphtheria and healthcare workers in endemic areas are also at risk,” it read.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has, since December 2022, reported multiple diphtheria outbreaks in different states nationwide.
As of June 30, NCDC said it confirmed 798 diphtheria cases from 33 local government areas in eight states of the federation, including the FCT.
The centre added that 80 deaths were recorded from the confirmed cases.
The Federal Government also advised the practice of good personal hygiene by constantly washing hands with soap under clean running water and clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitiser if there is no water.
It also advised keeping surroundings clean, while people should avoid crowded places.
