From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano State has recorded 100 cases of diphtheria and four cases of lassar fever in 12 Local Government Areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa listed the Local Government Areas where the diseases are ravaging to include Ungogo, Nassarrawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Rano, Dawakin Tofa and Gwarzo.
According to him, of the 100 cases of diphtheria, eight were confirmed, while awaiting more results.
“We have lost three among the eight confirmed, and 22 among other suspected cases. Currently, 27 patients are on admission receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged successfully.
He described diphtheria as an acute toxic infection caused by the coryno bacterium species, transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.
Symptoms rages from mild to severe fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, neck swelling, difficulty in breathing.
Complications may include damage to the heart, kidney damage, and bleeding with death in up to 21 per cent of cases.
Dr. Tsanyawa said diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease, “and its antigen is among the pentatonic vaccine (PETA) taken three times (PENTA-3) before the age of one year.
“From our records, most of the patients are not being fully vaccinated, and those vaccinated are resisting being protected. This has shown that immunization is highly effective and protective against all vaccine preventable disease.”
He further stated that, “spread of diphtheria infection can be prevented via use of improve personal hygiene, use of face mask especially among older children, proper handling of respiratory secretion, appropriate handling of suspected cases by healthcare workers and prompt referrals, proper cases management using recommended and above all, getting all eligible children vaccinated.”
He also hinted that, “on the 10 of January, the PHEOC also received a report of suspected case of Lassar Fever from MAWTH, team was deployed to investigate, sample was taken for laboratory test, three days later, the result turned positive for Lassar Fever.
“The patient was evacuated to an isolation centre in AKTH, the PHEOC called for an emergency meeting during which Lassar Fever Technical woeking group (LFTWG) was established, state RRT was deployed, contacts were line listed, categorized and are being followed up.
“Ten samples were taken from the high-risk contacts of the index case, three became positive making a total of four cases currently managed at the AKTH Isolation centre.
“The state government has also activated Kanar Dawaki Isolation centre for isolating the Lassar Fever cases, staff of Yahaya have been trained and transferred to the Isolation centre where drugs and consumables were propositioned and is fully functional.”
He said the index case is a 26-year old businessman in Taraba state where he started developing symptoms and later came back to Kano State his home town where he visited several facilities.
