NCDC Alerts Health Workers, Recommends Isolation For Persons With Diphtheria Symptoms

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has alerted health workers and urged on high index of suspicion of diphtheria.

Director-general of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, who disclosed this yesterday, also advised that Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should isolate themselves and notify the appropriate authorities.

He said the centre had responded to reports in Lagos and Kano and was monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe where cases were now being picked up.

He said aside the clinically suspected cases, there had been laboratory confirmed cases, adding that the NCDC was working with state ministries of health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, skin of an individual.

Ifedayo said people most at risk of contracting diphtheria include children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine), people who live in crowded environments, areas with poor sanitation, healthcare workers and others who are exposed to suspected/confirmed cases.

On transmission, he said diphtheria spreads easily through direct contact with infected people, droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.