A diphtheria outbreak in the state has been reported by the Jigawa State Ministry of Health, with no less than 91 suspected cases and 10 fatalities.
Dr. Salisu Mu’azu, the ministry’s permanent secretary, announced this to reporters in Dutse on Friday.
He revealed that more samples had been sent to Abuja for testing after two confirmed cases were found in the local government areas of Kazaure and Jahun.
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He further emphasized that the state government had been proactive in responding to the situation, especially following reports of diphtheria outbreaks in neighbouring states like Kano and Yobe.
Mu’azu underscored that the Ministry had diligently collected vital information and data from the affected regions and promptly informed the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the National Disease Control for coordinated intervention.
“The state government is now actively preparing to administer vaccines once they become available”, he said.
Mu’azu equally attributed the outbreak to disruptions in healthcare services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago, which led to the suspension of routine immunization efforts, leaving the population vulnerable to such outbreaks.
