In order to trace patients affected by the diphtheria outbreak in the state, the Kano State Government announced on Sunday that it has established contact tracing teams.
According to The PUNCH, more than 100 individuals have been admitted to hospitals, while more than 2,000 others have been treated and released.
The state’s epidemiologist, Dr. Abdullahi Karaunmata, revealed the teams had been sent to all corners of the state, particularly to Local Government Areas that are heavily populated when he updated newsmen on the outbreak in the state.
Dr. Kauranmata claims that 31 out of the state’s 44 LGAs have reported diphtheria cases.
Additionally, he said that it has established two clinics for the care of diphtheria-infected individuals.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath, which caused a lockdown and disrupted routine immunisation, may be responsible for the resurgence of diphtheria. On the other hand, many children remained unimmunized because of the actions of some parents or carers who are reluctant to take their charges for immunisation.
According to him, “Recently, NCDC has released a list or update outlining the number of states affected, with the total number of confirmed cases, including the mortality among the children. The report has categorised Kano among the states with the highest number of diphtheria patients.
“Currently, we have more than 100 cases on admission. We have treated and discharged over 2,000.
“Diphtheria has been reported in 31 out of the 44 LGAs in the state,” he said.
