The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Tuesday said Kano State had recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
It said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on the Diphtheria outbreak.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in Nigeria.
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“Recently, we’ve seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala, 989; Fagge, 943; Gwale, 714; Kumbotso, 713; Nassarawa, 538; Kano Municipal, 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said 60.8 percent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise,” he said
Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease. (NAN)
