Bisola David
The Federal Government has publicly warned Nigerians to be on the lookout for the disease diphtheria, emphasizing that everyone is in danger of contracting it.
In a public advisory, the health promotion department of the Federal Ministry of Health noted that the disease, a life-threatening condition caused by bacteria, is easily passed from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and contact with an open sore/blister/wound on the skin.
The bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which causes diphtheria, generates a toxin that seriously harms the respiratory system, heart, skin, and other organs.
After exposure, the illness takes two to five days to incubate, however it can sometimes take up to ten days.
Therefore, the warning stated that everyone is in danger of contracting diphtheria, especially children under five and people over 60.
It went on to say that other groups at risk include kids who have not received all three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, people who live in crowded locations, people who have poor personal hygiene habits, and persons who reside in unsanitary or unhygienic environments.
In addition, those with weakened immune systems, travelers to infected regions, residents of remote places without access to healthcare facilities, those who care for or come into close contact with diphtheria-infected individuals, and healthcare personnel in endemic areas.
Since December 2022, there have been numerous diphtheria outbreaks recorded by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in various states across the country.
As of June 30, according to the NCDC, 33 local government districts in eight states of the federation, including the FCT, had reported 798 confirmed cases of diphtheria.
The center also stated that a total of 80 deaths from the confirmed cases have been documented thus far.
The most typical signs and symptoms of diphtheria include sore throats, which can be mild or severe, scratchy, and unpleasant, with a thick grey or white membrane covering the tonsils and the back of the throat.
Other symptoms include swollen and sensitive lymph nodes in the neck, fever (which can range from mild to high), cough, and difficulty breathing and swallowing.
“The ministry, therefore, recommends anyone who notices any of the signs and symptoms to immediately go to the nearest health center for proper diagnosis and treatment because diphtheria is treatable but early diagnosis is crucial.
“Vaccination is the main method of preventing diphtheria. To prevent the five diseases of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis B, and Hemophilus influenza type B, children in Nigeria receive three doses of the Pentavalent vaccine at different ages.”
The Federal Government additionally advised maintaining good personal hygiene by regularly washing hands with soap and running water, or, in the absence of water, by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
“When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a bent elbow. The authorities advised people not to share personal belongings (clothes, cups, toothbrushes) and to throw used tissues into the covered trash can as soon as possible.”
