The Anambra government has inaugurated a statewide sensitisation campaign on diphtheria following reports of the disease spreading in parts of the country, aimed at raising public awareness and strengthening preventive measures statewide.

The director of Public Health and Disease Control in the state Ministry of Health, Afam Anaeme, said this on Monday during an interview in Awka.

Mr Anaeme said the campaign was initiated on the directive of the Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, to educate residents on diphtheria’s symptoms, transmission, prevention and public health implications.

He said information from the state’s disease surveillance system indicated that diphtheria was spreading in some parts of the country, making early public awareness and preventive action necessary across communities.

The director, however, assured residents that no confirmed case of diphtheria had been recorded in Anambra as of the interview, urging vigilance while maintaining calm and adhering to recommended preventive measures.

According to him, diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused mainly by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and transmitted through respiratory droplets from infected persons during coughing, sneezing, laughing or other close interactions.

“Close contact with an infected person could also transmit the disease.

“Common symptoms include sore throat, mild fever, weakness, swollen neck and difficulty in swallowing or breathing. Severe cases could damage the heart, kidneys and nerves,” he said.

Mr Anaeme said childhood immunisation remained the most effective protection against diphtheria, noting that the vaccine was included in the pentavalent vaccine administered to children at six, 10 and 14 weeks.

He also advised residents to maintain proper hygiene, wash their hands regularly, avoid unnecessary close contact with suspected cases and wear face masks where necessary to reduce infection risks.

The director said the ministry had intensified public awareness through radio jingles, social media campaigns and distribution of information, education and communication materials on diphtheria across communities statewide.

He added that the ministry was collaborating with state-owned media organisations to feature health experts on radio and television programmes educating residents on diphtheria and respiratory infections.

Mr Anaeme assured residents that the ministry would continue strengthening disease surveillance and monitoring developments closely, urging them to remain calm, embrace vaccination, observe preventive measures and promptly report suspected cases.

(NAN)