The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a critical advisory to the Federal Government, urging it to intensify routine diphtheria vaccination efforts to combat the outbreak of this highly contagious bacterial ailment.
During an online media conference on Wednesday, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, passionately emphasized the necessity of this measure, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Dr. Tedros disclosed the alarming situation in Nigeria, where a severe diphtheria outbreak has erupted, with over 9,000 suspected cases reported across 17 states, resulting in a tragic toll of 307 deaths. He notably remarked that this marks the second wave of diphtheria in the country this year.
Diphtheria, a highly dangerous bacterial disease, possesses the potential for fatality in five to ten percent of cases, particularly affecting young children with even graver consequences.
However, Dr. Tedros highlighted the pivotal role of routine vaccination in preventing this disease.
WHO, in close collaboration with the Federal Government, is diligently working to combat the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria. Their collective efforts encompass improving vaccination programs, enhancing surveillance, refining case management, and bolstering risk communication.
The WHO Director-General underscored their commitment to expanding access to vaccines and antitoxins to better tackle this crisis.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that increasing routine vaccination is the key to quelling this outbreak and averting similar ones in the future.
Diphtheria, an acute and extremely contagious bacterial ailment, manifests in the inflammation of mucous membranes and the formation of a false membrane in the throat, obstructing both breathing and swallowing.
Furthermore, this disease carries a grave potential for fatality as the bacterial toxin in the bloodstream can lead to heart and nerve damage, particularly affecting young children.
Notably, diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, with routine vaccination constituting a vital safeguard against its resurgence. Developed countries have experienced a marked decline in diphtheria incidence due to robust immunization programs, according to WHO reports.
