Diphtheria Outbreak Claims 11 Lives in Niger State

In Niger State, eleven individuals have died from diphtheria within a few days, raising concerns about the disease's spread in Chanchaga and Katcha Local Government Areas. This recent surge contributes to a total of 17 fatalities from 124 confirmed cases reported between January and early August.

The Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA) has treated and discharged 74 patients from Bida and Agaie Local Government Areas, while surveillance efforts have intensified in Suleja. Dr Junaidu Inuwa, Executive Director of NSPHCDA, attributed the rising death toll partly to parents' failure to vaccinate their children.

He urged community mobilization and emphasized the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure. Inuwa reported that ten recent cases in Chanchaga and Katcha resulted in fatalities, including one additional death at the General Hospital in Minna.

He called for grassroots campaigns against vaccine hesitancy, particularly targeting women and mothers. Ibrahim Mohammed from UNICEF highlighted the training aimed at enhancing Ward Development Committees' capacity in various community health areas.