According to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency of Nigeria (NPHCDA), a substantial percentage of youngsters are still unvaccinated and so at danger of developing diphtheria.
Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the NPHCDA, stated this at a joint news conference on Diphtheria Outbreak Response conducted by the NPHCDA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday in Abuja.
According to Shuaib, some youngsters were only partially vaccinated, jeopardising the country’s goal of achieving population immunity.
He stated that inadequate vaccine coverage was the primary cause of the Diphtheria epidemics, with children aged two to fourteen years being the most afflicted.
He stated that the NPHCDA was gathering resources to mount an effective response to the outbreak in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), state governments, and donor partners.
“Through a multi-phased strategy, a comprehensive response plan has been activated to detect cases early, contain the spread, and prevent further transmission.”
“In order to ensure effective planning and resource deployment, we are leveraging surveillance data from NCDC and direct information from states.”
“The agency is working closely with partners to ensure adequate supplies of Tetanus Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccines for children aged 4 to 14 years, as well as Pentavalent vaccines for children aged under 4 years,” he said.
He stated that the agency was working with affected health state teams and other stakeholders to conduct increased mass vaccinations for identified at-risk populations.
“We are also conducting public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the disease, its symptoms, and preventive measures,” he added.
He stated that the diphtheria outbreak would be addressed in two stages.
“Phase 1 will include 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across four states: Bauchi, Katsina, Yobe, and Kaduna.”
“This phase is set to begin on August 7 and will last until August 11, 2023.”
“Phase 2 will cover outbreak response in 171 local government areas.” A state-wide outbreak response would be implemented in six states (Kano, Katsina, FCT, Yobe, Kaduna, and Bauchi).
“Target outbreak responses will be implemented in eight states, including Jigawa (8 LGAs), Borno (4 LGAs), Osun (4 LGAs), Lagos (3 LGAs), Zamfara (3 LGAs), Gombe (3 LGAs), Plateau (1 LGA), and Nasarawa (1 LGA).”
“This phase is scheduled to be completed in three rounds.” On August 21, the first round will begin, followed by the second (2nd) and third (3rd) rounds.
He stated that the rounds will be held on September 18 and October 16, respectively, and that each round will span five days.
“As a result, parents and carers are urged to take their children, aged birth to 14 years, to nearby health facilities for vaccination,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to practise good cleanliness, adding it is critical in preventing the spread of diphtheria.
Dr Yahya Disu, chief of the NCDC’s communications section, stated that data drives the agency’s decision-making and response to any disease outbreak.
According to Disu, the diphtheria outbreak continues to represent a significant threat to at-risk groups across the country.
He claims that the ailment, which began in December 2022, is spreading throughout the country.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), an estimated 2,455 suspected cases were reported in 26 states between May 2022 and July 2023.
As of July 27, 836 cases had been reported in 33 local government areas (LGAs) throughout seven states: Cross River, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Lagos, Osun, Yobe, and the FCT.
Since the epidemic, there have been 83 deaths.
