Yobe treats 289 diphtheria cases
From Habibu Idris Gimba, Damaturu
The Yobe State Government has treated and discharged 289 diphtheria cases in the seven Local Government Areas of the state.
This is coming as the state recorded over 30 casualties from the affected patients of the diseases in the Potiskum Local Government area of the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Health matters Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, disclosed this during the coordination meeting of the health sector in the state.
He said diphtheria which is currently ravaging the country is now recorded in the state with the highest case records in Nguru. Other LGAS affected are Gulani, Bursari, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Damaturu and Nangere.
Dr. Gana, said the active cases are currently in the isolation centers of Specialist Hospitals Potiskum and Damaturu, adding that 289 cases have been treated and discharged.
According to him, the Yobe state government and partners have been making various interventions in fighting the outbreak, while the sector is strategizing a more coordinated result oriented means of preventing, managing, and ending the cases in the state.
‘‘Diphtheria is affecting majorly zero dose vaccination households and the state Ministry of Health is identifying these households for vaccination of the under 2 years. There are also necessary drugs and DAT for use in the state. Government intensifying training of clinical staff to effectively manage cases.
‘‘As the rainy season set in, malaria cases are also feared to complicate the Diphtheria outbreak thus the need for massive sensitisation of the communities on the outbreak, especially how to prevent them. Adequate mobilisation for the acceptance of immunization among the people is also needed,” he said
He added that the state social mobilisation and community engagement under the Ministry of Information will embark on deliberate result-oriented advocacies, sensitisation, and mobilisation of communities in order to curtail, manage and eradicate these avoidable diseases.
