July 26, (THEWILL) – The Bauchi State government has confirmed the Diphtheria outbreak in the State and ordered the closure of all schools affected by the disease in Jama’are local government area of the State.
Executive chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Department Agency (BSPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the closure of the schools was a precautionary measure, following the death of two pupils in the Local Government area from suspected Diphtheria.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, Mohammed said out of 58 samples taken, two returned positive for diphtheria disease, while tests were being carried out on others.
He said the agency was determined to act fast to curtail the possible spread of the outbreak, adding that vaccination would be given to prevent the disease.
The BSPHCDA boss noted that any school in the state where a case of diphtheria is confirmed would be closed down.
“We need to vaccinate children at six weeks and the good news is that the vaccination is free”, he said.
Dr Mohammed described the deaths of the pupils as unfortunate.
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