The Jigawa State Ministry of Health has identified 91 instances of Diphtheria cases in 14 Local Government Areas of the State.
While confirming the epidemic, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Salisu Mu’azu, stated that ten people with probable cases of diphtheria perished in the state.
“So far, two cases have been confirmed at Kazaure and Jahun Local Governments, as some samples have been taken to Abuja for confirmation,” Mu’azu said.
“The epidemic was recorded in areas with zero doses of rotten immunization in the affected local government areas in the state,” he said.
He added that an outbreak of the disease in Jigawa’s neighboring Kano and Yobe States prompted the state, through the ministry, to be extra attentive and make a concerted effort to combat eminence.
Ma’azu stated that the ministry had already gathered the relevant information and statistics in the affected areas and had updated the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) and the National Disease Control Agency (NDC) in preparation for further action.
The Permanent Secretary indicated that the state administration is preparing to administer the vaccination in the state as soon as it comes.
According to a UNICEF research, the adjacent state of Jigawa, Kano, accounts for 80% of Diphtheria sickness in the outback.