Diphtheria: Death Toll Rises To 26 in Bauchi

Category: Health

The death toll from the Diphtheria disease outbreak in Bauchi has risen to 26, with 180 suspected cases recorded so far across the state.

Five students reportedly died of suspected diphtheria in Jamaare local government area in July.

The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (BSPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed disclosed this on Friday while giving an update on the state’s diphtheria outbreak, during a USAID-IHP One Day Media Engagement on the 2023 Bauchi State budget performance held in Bauchi.

He said out of the number of deaths, four were confirmed diphtheria cases while the remaining 22 exhibited signs, symptoms, and complications of diphtheria following the results of tests conducted.

Rilwanu said further that the suspected cases are being investigated to ascertain the confirmed cases.

He said, “A total of 180 suspected cases were reported from Bauchi (07), Dambam (32), Darazo(2) Itas-Gadau (5), Jamaáre (104), Katagum (17), Misau (9), Ganjuwa(1), Giade (1) and Ningi (1) LGAs. Of the 180 suspected cases reported, 7 (3.9%) were lab confirmed and 166 were clinically compatible,” he said.

“A total of 26 deaths were recorded among suspected, confirmed cases (CFR- 14.40%). 10 LGAs reported at least one case, totaling 180 suspected cases in Bauchi State. Jamaáre LGA accounted for 57.8% of the diphtheria cases.

The chairman said further that the state has commenced a vaccination exercise in some local government areas to contain the outbreak.