Nasarawa State has confirmed an ongoing diphtheria outbreak, with 15 cases recorded across three local government areas.
The Director of Public Health at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Dr Attah Peter, disclosed this during an interview in Lafia on Tuesday.
According to Attah, most of the confirmed cases were recorded in Keffi Local Government Area, which accounts for 11 of the 15 infections. Wamba recorded one case, while Lafia has three confirmed cases.
The affected children range in age from two months to 11 years, with most reportedly not having received the required vaccinations.
Attah attributed the outbreak largely to missed routine immunisation, warning that unvaccinated children remain vulnerable to diphtheria. He questioned why a child would still be vulnerable to the disease when vaccination should have been completed years earlier.
The health official also said similar cases had been reported in other states, including Kano. He noted that the disease has affected adults as old as 50 in some cases because of inadequate vaccination.
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Despite the outbreak, Nasarawa has recorded no diphtheria-related death this year. This is unlike the previous year when fatalities were reported.
Attah attributed the improved outcome to early detection, prompt treatment and clinicians’ high index of suspicion.
Vaccines and treatment have been deployed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, and other health facilities managing suspected and confirmed cases. The Director urged parents and caregivers to use the free routine immunisation services available at Primary Healthcare Centres.
He explained that children are expected to receive routine vaccines from birth through 18 months, including recommended booster doses.
Attah also advised parents to ensure girls aged nine to 11 receive the HPV vaccine. This is part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer.
