Diptheria Outbreak: Death toll rises to 26 in Bauchi

The number of people killed by the diphtheria outbreak in Bauchi has increased to 26, and 180 suspected cases have been reported so far throughout the state.

Five students reportedly passed away in July in the Jamaare local government region from suspected diphtheria, according to DAILY POST.

At a USAID-IHP One Day Media Engagement on the 2023 Bauchi State Budget Performance held in Bauchi on Friday, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), revealed this while providing an update on the state's diphtheria outbreak.

According to the results of the testing, four of the deaths had been identified as diphtheria cases, while the remaining 22 had symptoms and sequelae consistent with diphtheria.

Rilwanu added that investigations are being conducted into the suspected instances in order to identify the confirmed ones.

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 state has started a vaccine campaign in some local government districts, the chairman continued, in an effort to stop the outbreak.

Source