The Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, has announced that the state Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has been placed on alert following confirmed and suspected cases of diphtheria in Herwagana Ward, Gombe.
Our correspondent reports that Diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a vaccine-preventable disease characterised by severe throat and respiratory infections that could lead to death if untreated.
Dahiru disclosed that the state has recorded three suspected cases and one confirmed case of diphtheria.
He stressed the availability of vaccines for diphtheria prevention, especially for children, at Primary Health Centres across Gombe State and urged parents and guardians to ensure prompt vaccination of their children to safeguard them from this potentially fatal disease.
The Commissioner called for heightened awareness and proactive measures to contain the spread of diphtheria in the affected areas.
The Commissioner said, “the confirmed case indicated the affected child had not been immunised against Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus, which come together in one vaccine, preventable through the pentavalent vaccine administered three times to protect against childhood killer diseases.”
