The Ministry of Health in Jigawa State has officially verified an outbreak of diphtheria within the state, involving at least 91 suspected cases and resulting in 10 fatalities.
Dr. Salisu Mu’azu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, shared this information during a briefing in Dutse on Friday.
He revealed that two confirmed cases had been identified in Kazaure and Jahun Local Government Areas, with additional samples sent to Abuja for thorough examination.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that the outbreak had particularly impacted areas where routine immunization coverage was insufficient.
He highlighted the proactive measures taken by the state government in response to the situation, particularly considering diphtheria outbreaks in neighboring states like Kano and Yobe.
Mu’azu emphasized that the Ministry had meticulously gathered crucial information and data from the affected regions, swiftly notifying the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the National Disease Control for a well-coordinated intervention.
He stated, “The state government is now actively preparing to administer vaccines once they become available.”
Mu’azu also linked the outbreak to disruptions in healthcare services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago. This led to the suspension of routine immunization efforts, rendering the population susceptible to such outbreaks.