THE KANO GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS A DIPHTHERIA INFECTION OUTBREAK, WITH 25 PEOPLE KILLED.

Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa, the Kano Kano State Commissioner for Health, confirmed the outbreak of the deadly Diphtheria disease, which has killed at least 25 people in the state, on Thursday.

Among the symptoms of the killer disease are sore throat, cough, saliva drooling, change in voice, neck swelling, abnormal breathing, fever, and mouth odor.

The commissioner, who confirmed the outbreak, stated that the state emergency preparedness committee is currently meeting to assess casualty figures, review data, and devise measures to address the situation.

Tsanyawa stated that the state rapid response team has been reactivated and an action plan has been indexed to combat the spread of the deadly disease in the state.

“Right now, we have presented the government with a budget for this, and it has been approved,” the commissioner told an online newspaper.

He explained that the low routine immunization rate attributed to disease spread is due to the state’s difficult-to-reach areas.

He did, however, mention that the state is beefing up routine immunization.

Tsanyawa stated that, in addition to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital being designated as an isolation center, other isolation centers would be established to prevent disease spread.

“Although we used Yargaya for COVID-19 isolation, we have set the place aside for the isolation of diphtheria infection also.

“We also have three cases of LASSA Fever in the state now with the index case from Taraba.

“People should not panic, but if they notice any unusual fever, they should go to the hospital right away,” says the doctor.

“We have already started sensitization to educate the public about the disease,” Tsanyawa said.