No Diphtheria Outbreak In Benue, Commissioner Assures Residents ....State strengthens surveillance as Outbreak Persists In Many States

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 
Benue State Government has reassured residents that there is presently no outbreak of diphtheria in the state, even as it intensifies surveillance and preparedness measures in response to an active outbreak reported in many parts of the country.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, gave the assurance on Friday at a press interview on Benue State’s Diphtheria Preparedness and Response held at the Ministry's Headquarters in Makurdi.

He noted that although the state has not recorded any case,the movement of people to other parts of the country, especially neighbouring Nassarawa state has made preparedness necessary.

Dr. Ejeh-Ogwuche enjoined residents not to panic but to remain vigilant, particularly when experiencing symptoms such as severe sore throat, fever, weakness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, neck swelling and a white or greyish membrane at the back of the throat.

" Diphtheria is an upper respiratory infection that affects the nose and throat and spread through coughing and sneezing in cluster environment. The disease is a serious contagious bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheriae.

"The epidemiological and public health emergency unit in the ministry has been activated to respond to any one affected by the infectious disease, while immunisation coverage in the 23 local government areas of the state has been strengthened",: the commissioner said.

He explained that diphtheria outbreak occurs mostly in areas with low vaccination coverage and further urged parents to ensure children receive routine immunisation and seek prompt medical attention when symptoms such as fever or difficulty in swallowing is noticed.