JUST-IN: Bauchi Govt Shuts Schools As Diphtheria Kills 2 Students

Bauchi State government has confirmed the death of two students in Jama’are local government area of the State as a result of suspected Diphtheria outbreak.

The executive chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Department Agency (BSPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, who confirmed the development while addressing journalists in Bauchi on Wednesday, said out of 58 samples taken, two were confirmed dead as a result of diphtheria disease, while tests were being carried out on others.

He said the agency was determined to act fast to curtail possible spread of the outbreak, adding that vaccination would be given to prevent the disease.

Dr. Mohammed further said that the state government has ordered the closure of all affected schools in the local government area as a precautionary measure.

The BSPHCDA boss noted that any school in the state where a case of diphtheria is confirmed would be closed down.

“We need to vaccinate children at six weeks and the good news is that the vaccination is free,” he said.

Dr. Mohammed described the deaths of the students as unfortunate, saying further laboratory tests would confirm if they actually died of Diphtheria or not.