*Dr. Salma Suwaid, Kano State Case Manager, has revealed a total of 783 patients have been admitted to the hospital, with 360 females and 423 males, stressing the urgent need for vaccination response to halt the spread of the disease in the state

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

A deadly outbreak of diphtheria infection has hit

Kano State, Northern Nigeria, with 61 lives lost as of March 2, 2023, agency report said.

Diphtheria has been described is a bacterial infection that affects the throat and upper airways, causing difficulty in breathing, heart failure, and even death.

The disease is highly contagious and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.

Photo collage: India.Com

Dr. Salma Suwaid, Kano State Case Manager, disclosed the alarming figures a webinar the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) organised, with the theme, “Diptheria outbreak in Nigeria: Vaccination Response”.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Suwaid revealed that a total of 783 patients have been admitted to the hospital so far, with 360 females and 423 males. She emphasised the urgent need for vaccination response to halt the spread of the disease.

“We need to act fast and effectively to stop this outbreak from claiming more lives.

“Vaccination is our best defence against diphtheria, and we must ensure that everyone is vaccinated particularly children,” he stated.

“The outbreak is largely due to low vaccination rates in the affected communities.

“Many people have not received the necessary vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to infection.”

Dr. Suwaid explained that the outbreak in Kano State was likely due to low vaccination rates.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has called on the government to prioritise vaccination efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.

It is also noted that as the death toll continues to rise, it is imperative that swift action is taken to curb the spread of this deadly disease.

The government must prioritise vaccination efforts to protect the health and well-being of its citizens.