The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that approximately 23,000 cases of diphtheria have been recorded since the outbreak of the disease.
This announcement comes alongside the assertion that there has been a significant reduction in diphtheria cases due to a series of government interventions.
Speaking at a three-day National Review Meeting held at the Bafara Hotel in Kaduna, where participants were drawn from affected states, the Incident Manager of the National Diphtheria Emergency Operation Centre, Dr Muzzammil Gadanya, remarked that the country has recorded over 30,000 cases of diphtheria since the outbreak began.
However, he clarified that, as of today, there are 23,000 cases of diphtheria in the country, stating, “But the truth is there has been a significant reduction in diphtheria cases because of a series of interventions from both the government and other stakeholders.”
Dr Gadanya also noted that diphtheria has claimed the lives of 1,191 persons from May 2023 to date.
Regarding challenges, he explained that the Centre for Disease Control decided to invite stakeholders to review the mitigation processes and assess the progress made so far along with the challenges faced.
He identified several challenges, including vaccination gaps, poor management of the disease, and difficulties in diagnosing diphtheria cases. He also posited that inadequate strategies for timely response have contributed to the challenges encountered since the outbreak.
Additionally, the Director of Healthcare at the Nigeria Red Cross, Dr. Manir Jega, stated that his organization has supported the government with 3,700 community-based volunteers since the outbreak of the disease.
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