Kaduna State Government has confirmed that Rapid Response Medical Teams have been put on alert in the event of an outbreak of the deadly diphtheria disease in the state.
The Rapid Response Teams are mandated to carry out surveillance, active case searches and contact tracing, following the rising cases of diphtheria outbreaks in neighbouring states.
Director of Public Health in Kaduna, Dr Abubakar Sadiq Idris, while confirming the development on Thursday, said the development has been brought to the attention of the government, prompting a swift move to curb its possible spread.
According to him, suspected cases reported in the state had been successfully managed, while measures have been put in place to manage additional cases at the Infectious Disease Centre in Mando and other secondary healthcare facilities.
The medical doctor said the state health authorities were also working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board to secure additional drugs and medical commodities.
He emphasised routine immunisation and vaccination as the primary defence against diphtheria, adding that the state had commenced a response immunisation campaign.
The Director urged parents, particularly mothers, to ensure that their children are fully immunised to reduce the risk of infection.
“Rapid Response Teams have been put in place, and in fact, they have carried out door-to-door sensitisation and media awareness campaigns across the state.
According to him, the state health officials have also engaged traders, commuters and residents at the central market, railway station and Kabala Doki, educating them on the dangers, symptoms, transmission and prevention of diphtheria.
Sadiq-Idris urged residents to remain vigilant, practise good hygiene and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, fever, weakness or a thick coating in the throat occur.
He also appealed to residents to promptly report suspected cases to the nearest primary healthcare centre or disease surveillance officer to facilitate early detection and containment.
Kaduna govt puts medical rapid response teams on alert over diphtheria disease threats