NewsDesk @bactiman63

Nigerian health officials have issued a public health advisory last week over a diphtheria outbreak in several states.

Africa
Image/Robert Herriman

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has responded to reports of diphtheria cases in Kano state where it is reported that no fewer than 25 persons in the state have been killed.

In addition, cases have been reported in Lagos, Osun and Yobe States.

Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin (poison). Infection can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, kidney failure, paralysis, and even death.

Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube

The onset of signs and symptoms usually starts after 2 – 10 of exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms of diphtheria include: Fever, Runny nose,  Sore throat,  Cough, Red eyes (conjunctivitis), Neck swelling and in severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing.

The Nigeria childhood immunization schedule recommends three (3) doses of pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine) are recommended for children in the 6th-, 10th- and 14th -week of life.

Yellow fever death reported in Guinea

South Africa reports 397 measles cases since October

Cholera outbreak declared in Burundi

Kenya: Anthrax outbreak sickens 10 in Kisii County

Ebola outbreak declared over in Uganda