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Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria: What do we know so far?

Article

Last updated: 25 Dec 2024

Subjects

-

Tags

Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Since January, Nigeria has experienced an outbreak of diphtheria cases in the two largest and most commercially active states, Lagos and Kano. Yobe and Osun states are also being closely monitored by health authorities. About 25 fatalities have been reported in Kano state alone, with several others hospitalized. Additionally, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also reported 78 suspected cases of extremely dangerous bacterial illness in 14 local councils in Kano State. It is important to note that while Kano and Yobe states are in the country's northern region, Osun and Lagos are in the southern region, indicating the potential for the outbreak to spread across the entire country if not promptly contained. Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium species. After 2-10 exposures to the bacteria, symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis, and neck swelling may appear. In some cases, a thick, grey, or white patch may form on the tonsils or back of the throat, making it difficult to breathe. People at risk of contracting diphtheria include those who have not received all doses of the pentavalent vaccine, those living in crowded or unsanitary conditions, healthcare workers, and those in close contact with suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria. To effectively address these outbreaks, a comprehensive approach is crucial, incorporating thorough analysis, innovative strategies, and global health perspectives. We call upon all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly and collaboratively to curtail the devastating impacts of these diseases.

DOI

10.21608/mid.2023.203021.1498

Keywords

Diphtheria, outbreak, Nigeria, Corynebacterium

Authors

First Name

Bashar

Last Name

Gulumbe

MiddleName

Haruna

Affiliation

Department of Microbiology, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Email

bashar.haruna@fubk.edu.ng

City

Birnin Kebbi

Orcid

0000-0003-0642-6902

First Name

Usman

Last Name

Haruna

MiddleName

Abubakar

Affiliation

Department of Microbiology, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Department of Biomedical Science, Nazarbayev University School Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan

Email

khaliphate13@gmail.com

City

Zaria, Kaduna State

Orcid

-

First Name

Zaharadeen

Last Name

Yusuf

MiddleName

Muhammad

Affiliation

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Al-Qalam University Katsina, Nigeria

Email

zaharadeenymuhammad@auk.edu.ng

City

Katsina

Orcid

0000000210747920

Volume

5

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

47401

Issue Date

2024-05-01

Receive Date

2023-03-30

Publish Date

2024-05-01

Page Start

680

Page End

681

Print ISSN

2682-4132

Online ISSN

2682-4140

Link

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_294639.html

Detail API

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=294639

Order

25

Type

Letter to the Editor

Type Code

1,165

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Publication Link

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria: What do we know so far?

Details

Type

Article

Created At

25 Dec 2024