The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has deployed vaccination and disease surveillance teams to Karshi, Angwan Kokosa and surrounding communities following the confirmation of five diphtheria cases and two deaths in the territory.
The intervention, according to the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, is aimed at containing further transmission through active case searches, vaccination and early detection.
Fasawe disclosed this on Thursday during an advocacy campaign and community engagement on the prevention and control of diphtheria at the Emir of Karshi’s Palace in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Representing the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, she said the FCT had investigated 15 suspected cases as of the end of the previous week.
She said five cases were laboratory-confirmed, while 10 were discarded after investigations, adding that two people died among the confirmed cases.
“As of end of last week, the FCT had investigated 15 suspected cases. Five were laboratory-confirmed, while ten were discarded following investigation. Sadly, two deaths occurred among the confirmed cases,” Fasawe said.
She explained that the FCTA immediately activated a multidisciplinary Incident Management Team after laboratory confirmation of a case.
According to her, the response includes active case searches, identification and monitoring of close contacts, provision of preventive antibiotics to eligible household contacts, sample collection for laboratory testing and sensitisation of healthcare workers on early detection, infection prevention and control, and prompt notification.
Fasawe said the vaccination exercise would give priority to zero-dose and under-immunised children, urging parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccination cards.
She advised those uncertain about their children’s vaccination status to visit the nearest primary healthcare centre for assessment, adding that parents should not stay away even when vaccination cards are missing.
“Diphtheria is preventable through vaccination, and it can be successfully treated when it is recognised early. However, when vaccination is missed or treatment is delayed, the disease can cause severe breathing difficulties, heart and nerve complications, and death, especially among children,” she warned.
She described diphtheria as a serious bacterial infection that affects the nose, throat and sometimes the skin, noting that severe cases could develop a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat capable of blocking the airway.
The Mandate Secretary urged residents to seek medical attention immediately when symptoms such as fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing or neck swelling occur.
She warned against waiting until a patient begins experiencing severe breathing difficulties before seeking medical care.
Fasawe also cautioned residents against attempting to touch, scrape or remove any membrane from the throat of a suspected patient.
“No one should attempt to touch, scrape or remove a membrane from the throat, whether at home, by a barber or by any untrained person. Such manipulation can cause severe bleeding, shock and death,” she said.
She directed private hospitals that receive suspected diphtheria cases to isolate and refer them to the nearest secondary health facility, while immediately notifying the disease surveillance system.
Fasawe identified the AMAC Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer as Mr Adamu, stressing that prompt reporting would help health authorities obtain an accurate picture of the outbreak and guide intervention.
She appealed to traditional and religious leaders, teachers, school proprietors, community associations, parents and caregivers to support the health teams, counter misinformation and report unusual illnesses promptly.
The Mandate Secretary said the FCTA would also intensify risk communication and community engagement in languages residents understand, with accurate information to be taken to households, schools, marketplaces, places of worship and motor parks.
She stressed that government alone could not contain the disease without the cooperation of communities.
“Surveillance teams cannot be in every home, and health workers cannot respond quickly to illnesses that are not reported. Effective outbreak control depends on trust, timely information and cooperation between government and the community,” she said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Ghali Kassim, said the choice of Karshi for the campaign was strategic, given the confirmed case and the need to prevent further transmission.
Kassim said the FCTA, through the Health Services and Environment Secretariat and Department of Public Health, was committed to sensitising residents and working with traditional, religious and other stakeholders to contain the disease.
Representing the AMAC Chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Aliyu Usman, said the health and wellbeing of residents remained a priority of the council.
Usman said diphtheria could spread rapidly, particularly among children, stressing that early detection, prompt treatment, vaccination and coordinated action were critical to controlling the disease.
He commended the FCTA, AMAC Health Department, health workers, surveillance officers, community leaders and development partners for their prompt response.
Also speaking, the Head of Risk Communication and Community Engagement and Incident Management on Diphtheria at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Hajia Hanatu Bello, urged residents and traditional rulers to provide timely information on suspected cases to health authorities.
The WHO representative, Imaobong Adebayo, said effective prevention and control of diphtheria depended on surveillance, early detection and rapid response.
Adebayo, who is the Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management pillar lead of the Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre/Technical Working Group, pledged WHO’s technical and field support to the FCT.
She urged parents and caregivers to improve routine immunisation uptake, stressing that vaccines against diphtheria are free, safe and available for eligible children.
Fasawe urged residents to remember three key actions in the fight against the disease: “Vaccinate. Report early. Protect one another.”
