What is Diphtheria and how can you protect yourself against the viral disease that has killed more than 35 Nigerians?
On Friday, January 20, 2023, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) released a health advisory warning Nigerians about the spread of Diphtheria citing that 135 cases have been recorded in Kano, Osun, Yobe and Lagos.
According to the director general of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, 35 people have been killed so far in Nigeria.
Adetifa said: “There have now been cases of Diphtheria reported in Lagos, Kano, Yobe, and Osun states. Kano currently has the highest number of cases and this is now closely followed by Yobe state.
“At the time of the report, Kano had recorded about 25 deaths but actually in total, at this week-ending, I think there have been about 34 deaths in total now.
“While this is a highly preventable and a very treatable condition, without the appropriate treatment including antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin for severely-ill cases, fatality can be high. Otherwise, with early detection and prompt institution of the right treatment, the outcomes are typically very good.”
This outbreak is coming at a period when the NCDC is on high alert over the reported resurgence of COVID-19.
COVID-19 broke out globally in 2020 with Nigeria recording more than 3,000 deaths from almost 300,000 cases as of January 2023.
So what is Diphtheria and why should Nigerians be worried?
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, skin of an individual.
It is spread through contact with infected people, contaminated clothings and objects as well as through contact with droplets from coughing or sneezing.
What are the symptoms?
After being in contact with the virus, the signs and symptoms usually start after two to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria. According to the NCDC, the noticeable symptoms include:
Fever
Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough
Red eyes (conjunctivitis)
Neck swelling
In severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing.
Parents are advised to take their children for the childhood immunisation schedule which recommends three doses of pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine) for children in the 6th, 10th and 14th week of life.
Adults who are showing symptoms of the bacteria or have come in contact with known patients are expected to report to the NCDC where they will get antibiotics prophylaxis and started on diphtheria antitoxin treatment.
According to Adetifa, “Those at highest risk are children and adults who never received vaccines, people who live in a crowded environment, and people who live in areas with poor sanitation. Again, there is a bit of low socioeconomic standing associated with this and we have to keep an eye now.”
Like COVID-19, diphtheria can be spread by people who have no symptoms and can seem to be a respiratory disease even while it’s sabotaging other body symptoms.
Nigeria’s first diphtheria outbreak occurred from February to November 2011 in the village of Kimba and its surrounding settlements, in Borno State with many of the affected being children less than four years.
