Nigeria: 15 Killed As Diphtheria Spreads to Jos North
[Daily Trust] No fewer than 15 persons were killed and over 100 suspected to have infected Diphtheria in various communities of Jos North local government area of Plateau State.
Fifteen lives were lost and more than a hundred individuals suspected of contracting diphtheria in Jos North, a local government area in Plateau State, Nigeria, according to authorities. The outbreak is deemed alarming, with more cases expected to be reported. This comes two days after a family lost two children aged 12 to 17 to the infection.
Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer Baks Bulus reported the deaths within three days of the outbreak. Out of the suspected cases, 117 people were confirmed to have had the disease, with 15 fatalities recorded so far. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads through contact with infected individuals, their belongings, and shared utensils.
It can be fatal, particularly for unvaccinated children. Residents are advised to maintain good hygiene, avoid crowded places, and seek early medical attention to prevent the disease's spread. The local health authorities have been deployed to educate the affected communities about the dangers of diphtheria.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
