DEADLY DIPTHERIA DISEASE
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual. As of Monday 23rd January 2023, The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 123 cases of Diphtheria disease and 38 deaths in four states which includes Kano, Lagos, Yobe, and Osun states. Diphtheria spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people’s droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects. People most at risk include children and adults who have not received any dose of the pentavalent vaccine, people who live in areas with poor sanitation, people who live in a crowded environment, and healthcare workers exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of the disease. Early signs of diphtheria which are usually spotted between 2 to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (...