By Lizzy Carr
The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Rilwanu Mohammed has stated that the State has commenced a vaccination exercise in some local government areas in order to contain the outbreak of Diphtheria.
Mohammed, stated this in Bauchi while giving an update on the Bauchi State Diphtheria outbreak situation report on thursday.
He said that the agency is carrying out the vaccination exercise in five local government areas of the state with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He said the vaccination exercise which commenced on thursday August 24th will run to Sept. 2nd 2023 in most affected local government areas of Jama’are, Katagum, Gamawa, Itas-Gadu and Zaki LGAs.
“As at Aug. 23, 2023, a total of 180 suspected cases were reported in 10 LGAs, twenty six deaths recorded; out of the total deaths, 4 are from confirmed cases while 22 others are suspected cases which is why WHO is supporting the reactive vaccination for aged zero to 14 years.”
According to him, disease surveillance teams have been deployed for active case search across the state, adding that health personnel have been trained to handle the outbreak.
“It is disheartening to record 180 suspected cases and most are from areas with zero dose of immunisation.”
Out of the 180 suspected cases 7 are laboratory confirmed while the others are clinically compatible, he said.
The state he added with the most affected local government area has established a diphtheria treatment centre at Jama’are General Hospital.
