Diphtheria outbreak: Zamfara records 44 deaths, suspends school resumption

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The Zamfara Ministry of Health says it has recorded 44 deaths following an outbreak of diphtheria in parts of the state.

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The State Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Yusuf Haske, gave the update to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Gusau on Monday.

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Haske’s update followed the extension of school resumption by the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

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He further disclosed that the health ministry had so far recorded 367 clinically suspected cases of diphtheria, with more than 320 patients successfully treated and discharged.

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He explained that laboratory tests conducted on samples collected from suspected patients confirmed the presence of the diphtheria-causing organism.

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Haske said the samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja, where the diagnosis was further confirmed.

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According to him, following the confirmation, the State Ministry of Health, on the directive of Gov. Dauda Lawal, declared the outbreak and activated the Incident Management System to coordinate the response.

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He said the response included the activation of state and local government rapid response teams, as well as case-management activities across the state’s 14 local government areas.

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Haske noted that general hospitals in the state had created isolation centres for the treatment of diphtheria patients, while Gusau Local Government Area, which recorded the highest number of cases, had about four treatment centres.

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He disclosed that 320 patients had been treated and discharged, with oral medication provided for continued treatment at home.

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The director, however, said the state had recorded 44 deaths, attributing the continued spread partly to active community transmission.

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He noted that children between the ages of six and 10 years were among the most affected, prompting the Ministry of Health to advise the Ministry of Education on measures to reduce the spread.

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Haske said the advice led to the decision to extend the resumption of schools in the state by two weeks to allow health authorities to intensify case management, surveillance, community engagement, health education, and preventive measures.

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He expressed optimism that the situation would improve, noting that although the number of cases “is still increasing, the number of deaths has reduced, and many patients are responding positively to treatment.”

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The health director urged residents to remain vigilant and seek medical attention immediately when they notice signs and symptoms associated with diphtheria.

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He added that disease surveillance and notification officers across the 14 local government areas were working to identify cases and ensure timely response.

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The director also disclosed that his department was going round the local government areas to sensitise residents and offer support to the ongoing response activities.

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He called on residents to cooperate with health officials and make use of the contact channels provided across the state for reporting suspected cases and accessing assistance.

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Meanwhile, the Zamfara Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has extended the resumption of schools by two weeks following the outbreak of the disease in parts of the state.

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The Commissioner for Education, Mr Abdulmalik Gajam, announced the extension on Monday in Gusau.

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“This is to inform parents, guardians, teachers, school proprietors, and the general public that the resumption of all public and private schools across the state has been extended by two weeks.

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“The decision follows the latest health advisory from the Ministry of Health on the prevailing diphtheria situation in the state and is aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of pupils, students, teachers, and the wider school community.

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“The extension will allow health and education authorities to strengthen disease surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination verification, public sensitisation, and other preventive measures before schools reopen.

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“Accordingly, all school proprietors, heads of schools, and management boards are directed to comply with the extension directive.

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“Schools are also encouraged to use the period to clean and decontaminate their premises and ensure the availability of adequate handwashing facilities,” the commissioner said.

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Gajam announced Monday, Sept. 28, as the tentative new resumption date, subject to further advice from the Health Ministry and other stakeholders.

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(NAN)

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