{
  "id": 6864974,
  "title": "2 dead as FCT records diphtheria outbreak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/2-dead-as-fct-records-diphtheria-outbreak",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-12T04:07:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/2-dead-as-fct-records-diphtheria-outbreak/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two deaths have been reported in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) due to a diphtheria outbreak, according to the FCTA. Out of 15 investigated cases, five have tested positive for the disease, leading to the fatalities. Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, informed this during a community awareness event in Karshi. She emphasized that the FCTA had taken measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread. Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection affecting the nose and throat, which can sometimes spread to the skin. Early symptoms include fever, cough, and catarrh, which can escalate to neck swelling and severe breathing difficulties. The FCTA has deployed a team to conduct contact tracing, administer antibiotics, and increase community awareness in local languages. The chief of Karshi, Ismaila Mohammed, confirmed the deaths occurred in a neighboring settlement and expressed gratitude for the government's intervention. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) also provided support to the FCT.",
  "summary": "The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has confirmed two deaths from diphtheria following an outbreak in the nation’s capital, with five laboratory-confirmed cases recorded out of the 15 investigated. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this yesterday during a community sensitisation and advocacy event on the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}