Abia Government Declares State Free Of Diphtheria

Abia State commissioner for information and culture, Okey Kanu has said the state is diphtheria-free after it recently recorded three suspected deaths from the disease.

Kanu stated these while briefing the press in Umuahia, the capital on the reported deaths, adding that the government had applied the required measures to arrest the development.

He explained that there were reported cases of the disease across the state particularly in Osisioma and Umuahia South local government areas.

His words:” Unfortunately, there were three deaths from those suspected cases but tests did not confirm that there were further cases of diphtheria,”

He assured that there was no cause for alarm as the health sector was working round the clock to ensure that any emergency is tackled head-on.

Contributing, the special adviser to the governor on health, Ngozi Azodoh said there was scare of the disease at Umueze community, close to the state’s University Teaching Hospital, Aba.

“We identified 12 affected persons, treated them and they are doing well. We also designated the hospital as the treatment centre.” Azodoh added..