Bauchi government shuts down schools as Diphtheria kills 5 students

Story from Christine TOBECHUKWU

Five students suspected to have been infected with diphtheria in the Jamaare Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been confirmed dead.

The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency,(BSPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday 26th July,2023 in Bauchi state.

Dr Rilwanu noted that out of 28 samples taken from Jammare, two were confirmed, adding that the agency was determined to act fast to curtail a possible spread of the disease.

Rilwanu described the deaths of the students as unfortunate saying laboratory tests would confirm if they died of Diphtheria.

He said vaccination would be given to prevent the disease from spreading.

“We need to vaccinate children at six weeks and the good news is that the vaccination is free.”

He further disclosed that all schools in the affected local government area had been closed as a precautionary measure to curtail any possible spread of the disease.

Rilwanu also stated that schools in any part of the state where any case of diphtheria is confirmed would be closed down.

He noted that diphtheria is a serious infection but vaccine-preventable.

The disease is caused by a bacteria and the common symptoms are sore throat, difficulty breathing, swollen glands in the neck, fever and chill among others.

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