Kano confirms outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 local govts

At Kano State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Diphtheria in 13 local government areas of the country.
The state Commissioner for Health, Aminu Tsanyawa, stated this in a briefing on the outbreak of Diphtheria and Lassa fever in the state on Saturday.

He said that out of 100 suspected cases, three have died.

“As of January 20, 2023, we have recorded 100 suspected cases from 13 local government areas.

“Ungogo, Nassarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Tofa, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Kiru, Rano, and Gwarzo.

“Out of 100 suspected cases, eight have been confirmed, while we await other results.

“We have lost three lives among the eight confirmed cases.”

Mr Tsanyawa said there are currently 27 admitted patients receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged.

The commissioner noted that on January 10, the public health emergency operations center received a report of a suspected Lassa fever case from the Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Kano.

He said a team was assigned to investigate, samples were taken for laboratory tests and three days later the results were positive for Lassa fever.

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“Ten samples were taken from high-risk contacts of the index case, three turned positive making a total of four cases currently being managed at the isolation center of the Aminu Teaching Hospital Kano,” said Mr Tsanyawa.

The commissioner maintained that the Kano State government has activated the Kwanar Dawaki isolation center to isolate Lassa fever cases.

He added that medical personnel have been trained and transferred to isolation centers where medicines and consumables have been proposed and are fully operational.

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He stated that the state will conduct regular immunization campaigns in the affected local government areas.

(IN)