The Zamfara ministry of health says it has commenced a house-to-house diphtheria outbreak response campaign in Gusau Local Government Area.

This is contained in a statement by Suleiman Isah, information and public relations officer, ministry of health, Zamfara.

The statement said the response campaign, being supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was aimed at strengthening efforts to detect suspected diphtheria cases early, prevent further transmission and ensure prompt referral of suspected cases for treatment.

“As part of the response, health teams are conducting active case searches in communities, while providing health promotion and health education to residents on diphtheria signs, symptoms and the importance of seeking medical attention.

“Suspected cases identified during the exercise are being referred to designated treatment centres, including the Infectious Diseases Centre (IDC), Damba, and Primary Health Care (PHC) Kwata.

“They are expected to receive free, quality, impartial and dignified healthcare inclusive of food for patients and caretakers, caregivers, as well as further assessment and management,” the statement said.

It noted that the intervention would strengthen Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, enhance the capacity of local health workers and support measures to stop the transmission of diphtheria within communities.

According to the statement, attention is being given to improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at treatment centres to promote safe infection prevention and control practices.

It emphasised the importance of residents’ cooperation with the response teams, urging prompt reporting of suspected diphtheria cases to health authorities for early assessment and appropriate treatment.

The statement quoted the state director of public health, ministry of health, Yusuf Abubakar-Haske, as commending the initiative and reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising public health safety and containing outbreaks effectively across the state.

The health ministry last month (September) announced the outbreak of diphtheria, confirming 44 deaths from 367 cases.

The state director of public health in the ministry had earlier in September told journalists that, out of the 367 clinically suspected cases, more than 300 patients had been treated and discharged.

The development led to a two-week extension of school resumption by the Zamfara Government, as most infected patients were said to be school pupils.

(NAN)