At least three children have died and six others are confirmed infected due to a diphtheria outbreak in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The executive secretary of the Kaduna state primary healthcare board Bello Jamoh, while confirming this stated that the outbreak has persisted in the state for a period of ten months, commencing in october 2024.
He said that the Kaduna state ministry of health is spearheading the response efforts, with support from various partners and stakeholders, a team of experts would be deployed to strengthen control measures and provide essential medical assistance.
Jamoh also disclosed accounts from Zaria residents, including a father who lost his daughter to the disease.
The father recounted how his daughter developed a swollen neck and experienced difficulties breathing and speaking before being admitted to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, despite immediate medical intervention, she succumbed to the illness.
Subsequently, three other children in the vicinity developed similar symptoms.
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