NCDC Issues A Notice To Nigerians

Following reports of instances of diphtheria in Lagos and Kano states, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a notice to Nigerians.

This was stated in a public health alert that Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, director general of the NCDC, signed yesterday. According to Adetifa, the center was also keeping an eye on the conditions in Osun and Yobe.

Additionally, he advised healthcare professionals to have a high index of suspicion for diphtheria by being alert and on the lookout for the infection’s symptoms.

The center added asked Nigerians to follow the country’s recommended childhood immunization schedule and make sure their children received three doses of the pentavalent vaccination to properly protect them against diphtheria. He said that 14 local councils in Kano State had 78 suspected cases of the extremely dangerous bacterial illness.

According to the state administration, out of the 27 samples that were submitted to the lab, eight were proven positive, and three fatalities were reported in the state.

The National Biosafety Management Agency has in the meanwhile asked Nigerians to exercise vigilance in order to halt and prevent the illness in the nation.

In a statement released yesterday, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the NBMA, raised the alarm about the illness’s current progress and urged the public to take immediate action to prevent future infection and disease transmission.