By Omeiza Ajayi
Diphtheria has killed two patients in Abuja out of five laboratory-confirmed cases, prompting the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA to move swiftly to calm public anxiety over the outbreak.
Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during a community sensitisation and advocacy event on the disease held in Karshi, explaining that the administration had investigated 15 suspected cases as of last week. Of that number, five were confirmed through laboratory testing, resulting in two fatalities, while several other patients have since been successfully treated and discharged.
She explained that diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection affecting the nose, throat, and occasionally the skin, with early symptoms including fever, cough, and catarrh, which can progress to neck swelling and severe breathing difficulties.
Dr Fasawe cited a tragic incident in which a child bled to death after a local barber attempted to cut a throat membrane, as she cautioned residents against self-treatment or any attempt to handle the pseudo-membranes that form at the back of infected throats. She urged community members to report suspected cases immediately to public health authorities rather than resort to such measures.
