The Benue State Government has intensified surveillance and preparedness against diphtheria following the rising number of cases reported across Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this in Makurdi at the weekend, stressing that Benue had yet to record any case of the disease.
Ogwuche, however, said the increasing movement of people between Benue and other parts of the country, particularly neighbouring Nasarawa State, had made it necessary for the state to strengthen its preparedness and monitoring systems.
According to him, diphtheria is a serious and highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which primarily affects the nose and throat.
He explained that the infection could spread through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, especially in crowded environments.
The commissioner said the ministry’s epidemiological and public health emergency unit had been activated to ensure a rapid response to any suspected or confirmed case of the disease.
He added that immunisation coverage had also been strengthened across the state’s 23 local government areas as part of measures to prevent an outbreak.
Ogwuche stressed that diphtheria outbreaks were more likely to occur in communities with low vaccination coverage.
He therefore urged parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive routine immunisations, warning that vaccination remains an important measure in protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The commissioner also advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if their children develop symptoms such as fever, sore throat or difficulty swallowing.
He assured residents that the state government would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to protect the people from the spread of the disease.
