Diphtheria: 4,017 Persons Vaccinated As Death Toll Hits 10 In Imo

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that 4,017 persons have already been vaccinated with the diphtheria vaccine as death toll from the disease rises to ten in Imo State.

UNICEF’s Health Specialist, Dr. Olusoji Akinleye, made this known during a virtual media parley organised by the organisation in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Friday.

Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae became an outbreak in Imo State, with an index case reported in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise local government areas of the state.

UNICEF is supporting the Nigerian Government’s response efforts in case management, infection prevention and control, reactive vaccination, risk communication and community engagement to contain the outbreak.

Akinleye who spoke on the theme: “Diphtheria Outbreak Response In Imo State,“ stressed that with ten fatalities already recorded, it was imperative to restrict and contain the spread of the disease to prevent a possible national disaster.

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He commended the Imo State Immunisation Officer, Dr Chibuzo Anyaehie for ensuring prompt vaccination of persons across the four affected council areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Owerri North and Owerri Municipal.

Speaking, Anyaehie said 4,017 persons had already received the diphtheria vaccine, adding that the state has so far recorded 79 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases.

“We have established treatment centres across all Primary Health Centres in Mbutu, and the Aboh General Hospital, with an additional 70 doses of vaccines just supplied,“ she said.

In her contribution, UNICEF’s Communication Officer, Advocacy, Media, and Ext. Relations, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe charged journalists to adequately sensitise the general public on preventive management of the disease to curb its spread.

UNICEF’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist, Mrs Rebekah Gabriel, harped on the need for regular hand washing with soap and water and for greater collaboration with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders for effective grassroots sensitisation.

Earlier in her opening remarks, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe commended the media for effective partnership and urged journalists to amplify awareness of the outbreak.