The Kaduna State Ministry of Health says it will embark on a massive response immunisation campaign to strengthen preparedness and prevent the spread of diphtheria in the state.

The Director of Public Health, Dr Abubakar Sadiq-Idris, stated this during an interview on Thursday in Kaduna.

Mr Sadiq-Idris said that following rising cases of diphtheria in neighbouring states, the state health authorities had commenced active case searches and contact tracing to prevent further spread of the disease.

He said suspected cases reported in the state had been successfully managed.

The director said the state had put measures in place to manage cases at the Infectious Disease Centre in Mando and other secondary healthcare facilities.

He added that health officials would continue to emphasise routine immunisation and vaccination as the primary defence against diphtheria.

“We understand that one of the reasons behind diphtheria is that some people do not take their children for immunisation.

“We have decided to embark on a response immunisation campaign and encourage mothers to ensure that their children are immunised,” he said.

According to him, the state is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board to secure additional drugs and medical commodities.

Mr Sadiq-Idris also said Rapid Response Teams had conducted door-to-door sensitisation and media awareness campaigns across the state.

“Our health officials engaged traders, commuters and residents at the central market, railway station and Kabala Doki, educating them on the dangers, signs and symptoms, transmission and prevention of diphtheria,” he said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant, ensure that their children were fully immunised, practise good hygiene and seek immediate medical attention when symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, fever, weakness or a thick coating in the throat occurred.

The director further urged residents to promptly report suspected cases to the nearest primary healthcare centre or disease surveillance officer to facilitate early detection and containment.

“Prevention starts with awareness. Stay informed. Stay protected,” he said.

(NAN)