Suspected diphtheria cases surge in Edo
Suspected cases of diphtheria have increased in Edo State amid fears of dearth of vaccines.
It was gathered that the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) is overwhelmed with patients with referral cases of suspected diphtheria.
Though the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, is yet to comment on the number of deaths recorded so far, sources at UBTH said more persons have died from the disease since the two recorded last week.
A doctor at the hospital said the hospital was overwhelmed with patients.
He said the patients were referred on suspicion of having diphtheria.
Spokesman for UBTH, Uwaila Joshua, could not be reached for comments as his cell phone was switched off.
Meanwhile, the government said it has activated an emergency public health response in response to the outbreak of diphtheria.
It said Governor Monday Okpebholo has deployed resources and expertise to arrest the situation as well as safeguard the health of residents.
Chief Press Secretary to Okpebholo, Fred Itua, said the Governor was personally coordinating surveillance and monitoring efforts to ensure a swift and effective containment of the disease.
According to him, “Hospitals across the state have been placed on high alert and instructed to intensify case detection, prompt isolation, and proper clinical management of suspected cases in accordance with national and international guidelines.
“Medical personnel are being briefed and equipped to respond appropriately, while the state’s disease surveillance network is being expanded to trace and monitor potential contacts swiftly.
“In addition, Governor Okpebholo has convened a multi-sectoral emergency meeting with representatives from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and community development groups to harmonise efforts and strengthen the response framework.”
