The Bauchi State Government has shut schools following a confirmation of the death of five students in Jama’are Local Government Area of the State as a result of suspected Diphtheria outbreak.
The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Department Agency,, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, confirmed the development while speaking with newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, adding that out of 58 samples taken, give were confirmed dead as a result of diphtheria disease, while tests were being carried out on others.
He explained that the agency was determined to act fast to curtail possible spread of the outbreak, adding that vaccination would be given to prevent the disease.
Dr. Mohammed stated further that the state government has directed the closure of all affected schools in the local government area as a precautionary measure.
He stressed that any school in the state where a case of diphtheria is confirmed would be closed down.
“We need to vaccinate children at six weeks and the good news is that the vaccination is free,” he said.
Deacribing the deaths of the students as unfortunate, Dr Mohammed said laboratory tests would confirm if they actually died of Diphtheria or not.
