Yobe state government says it has intensified efforts to curtail the spread of diphtheria in the state.

Muhammad Lawan Gana, the senior special assistant to Gov. Mai Mala Buni on health matters, stated this on Wednesday in Damaturu.

Mr Gana, who spoke during a coordination meeting of the health sector, said diphtheria were recorded in seven local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

“Diphtheria which is currently ravaging the country is now recorded in the state with the highest number of cases in Nguru.

“Other LGAs affected are Gulani, Bursari, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Damaturu and Nangere.

“The active cases are currently in the isolation centres of Specialist Hospitals Potiskum and Damaturu,” he said.

Mr Gana also said about 289 cases had been treated and discharged.

He said that Yobe government and partners had been making various interventions in fighting the outbreak.

Mr Gana added that the sector was strategising a more coordinated result-oriented means of preventing, managing, and ending the cases in the state.

He said that the cases of malaria this rainy season might complicate the diphtheria outbreak.

Mr Gana added that there was the need for massive sensitisation of the communities on the outbreak, especially on how to prevent them.

He said the ministry of information would embark on advocacies, sensitisation and mobilisation of communities in order to curtail, manage and eradicate these avoidable disease.

 (NAN)