The confirmation was made by the Executive Chairman of the
State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed
told DAILY POST during a recent Media briefing on a new suspected cases of
Diphtheria in Jama’are Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
He further said that Katagum LGA with 5 suspected cases is
next, while Itas/Gadau, Ningi, Dambam, and Bauchi LGAs all have 1 suspected
case each.
He informed that few of the tested samples showed that diphtheria
is available in the mentioned LGAs, assuring, however,, that efforts were on to
prevent further spread.
While revealing the status and outcomes of the samples taken
so far, Rilwanu Mohammed said that 58 samples were taken to the lab and are
undergoing investigations to ascertain their status.
He pointed out that surveillance teams have continued to
follow up with other individuals who have come in contact with all the
suspected people after their samples were taken and appropriately taken care
of.
Diphtheria is described as an acute and highly contagious
bacterial disease causing inflammation of the mucous membranes, the formation
of a false membrane in the throat, which hinders breathing and swallowing, and
potentially fatal heart and nerve damage by a bacterial toxin in the blood.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,
diphtheria represents a serious infection of the nose and throat that is easily
preventable by a vaccine.
“It is a sheet of thick, grey matter that covers the back of
the throat, making breathing hard.”
We learnt that those at increased risk of getting sick
include: people in the same household, people with a history of frequent, close
contact with the patient, and people directly exposed to secretions from the
suspected infection site (e.g., mouth, skin) of the patient.