Diphtheria claims 112 lives in Nigeria- UNICEF

Medbury Medicals

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed on Thursday that no fewer than 122 persons have lost their lives to the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, who disclosed this in a statement by UNICEF’s Communications Officer, Safiya Yoba Akau, expressed worry over the growing outbreak, which she said has affected children in 27 states of the country, putting the case fatality rate (CFR) at 8.7%.

According to the statement, “As of July 2023, 3,850 suspected cases were reported, with 1,387 confirmed as diphtheria. The disease has tragically claimed 122 lives, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 8.7%.

Related post: https://www.medburymedicals.com/diphtheria-nigeria-records-798-cases-80-deaths-in-33-lgas/

“The outbreak has affected mainly Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Lagos, the FCT, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which account for 98.0% of the suspected cases. Most confirmed cases, approximately 71.5%, have occurred among children aged 2–14 years. It’s heartbreaking to note that only 22% of the confirmed cases received their routine childhood immunization vaccinations.

“Most of these affected children, especially those who unfortunately passed away, had not received a single dose of the vaccine. The need to reach the unreached has never been more critical,” it noted.

The statement added, “UNICEF Nigeria is amplifying its efforts to counter a growing outbreak of diphtheria that has affected children in 27 states.

Related post: https://www.medburymedicals.com/diphtheria-nigeria-seeks-whos-assistance-for-emergency-deployment/

“In light of these sobering statistics, UNICEF Nigeria urges all parents and guardians to ensure their children receive routine immunizations to protect them from preventable diseases like diphtheria.

The agency will continue to intensify efforts to address the ongoing outbreak and work alongside the government to achieve a healthier, safer future for every Nigerian child,” the statement reads.

Related post: https://www.medburymedicals.com/beware-of-diphtheria/

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