NCDC Pledges Support To Bauchi Over Rising Diphteria, Lassa Fever Cases 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has declared its readiness to support Bauchi State government in the fight against growing cases of diphteria and lassa fever. 

 The NCDC is concerned Bauchi maintains a consistent number of suspected diphteria and lassa fever cases compared to other states of the country for a complete year. 

 LEADERSHIP Friday reports that in July this year, diphtheria killed five persons in Bauchi, forcing education authorities in the state to order closure of schools in frontline area – Jama’are.

 Director general of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, disclosed this yesterday when he led a technical team on a courtesy visit to the commissioner of health, Dr Adamu Sambo in his office. 

 He said the NCDC is determined to support health authorities in the state to defeat diphtheria, lassa fever and other diseases posing danger to the well-being of the people of the state. 

 The director general said the centre provided test kits for the state to help with proper and timely management of the diseases.

 He said there is the need for authorities to coordinate efforts to tackle diphtheria, lassa fever and other preventable diseases. 

 Dr Adetifa said to attract the right kind of support Bauchi needed to end diphtheria and lassa fever outbreak. 

 In his remarks, the executive chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, lamented the reoccurring prevalence of diphtheria and lassa fever in the state.