‘No new diphtheria case in FCT’

T****he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) epidemiologist, Dr Lukman Ademola, has said that no new case of diphtheria has been confirmed in the territory following the recent confirmation of an outbreak of the disease.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had on Friday confirmed two deaths from diphtheria following an outbreak in the nation’s capital, with five laboratory-confirmed cases recorded out of the 15 investigated.

The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environmental Secretariat FCTA, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during a community sensitisation and advocacy event on the disease in Karshi.

She said the FCTA had investigated 15 suspected cases as at last week, with five testing positive for diphtheria, resulting in two deaths, while other patients had been successfully treated and discharged.

Ademola, while giving an update in an interview with Abuja Metro yesterday, said the territory had not established any evidence of secondary infection or community transmission of the disease.

He said although one or two suspected cases had been reported since the recent increase, laboratory tests and enhanced surveillance had not confirmed new cases.

“Between when we noticed an increase in the number of cases and now, we’ve not had any new case. Yes, we’ve had one or two suspected cases,” he said.

The epidemiologist said the FCT had remained proactive in its response despite the relatively limited number of cases recorded in the territory.

He said the territory was not currently among the states prioritised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for diphtheria response, but authorities were maintaining enhanced surveillance to prevent further spread.

Ademola said health officials had intensified surveillance and active case searches, including house-to-house visits in areas where suspected cases had been reported.

He said a recent active case search conducted in Karshi did not identify any new or previously unreported case.

“Even in Karshi, we went for active case search, doing house-to-house checking and everything. We did not identify any new case,” he said.

He added that health authorities were also working with laboratories and sensitising clinicians to ensure that suspected cases were promptly identified, tested and managed.

The epidemiologist said the FCT planned to extend its sensitisation campaign to all six area councils as part of efforts to strengthen public awareness and early detection.

He said health officials were expected to visit Gwagwalada for sensitisation, noting that some suspected cases had previously been reported there but later tested negative.

Warning signs

The epidemiologist advised residents to seek medical attention promptly when they notice symptoms associated with diphtheria.

He said the disease could initially present like an ordinary upper respiratory tract infection, with symptoms including cough and sore throat, before becoming more severe.

“Typically, it usually starts like every other upper respiratory tract infection, cough, sore throat,” he said.

“But it begins to get worse. There could be some hoarseness. The voice may be affected.”

According to him, severe cases could develop difficulty in swallowing and breathing, swelling of the neck and a whitish patch in the throat known as a pseudomembrane.

“And then, the neck starts swelling up. At that point, if you look into the throat, you’ll see a whitish patch, which is a pseudomembrane,” he said.

He advised residents not to wait until symptoms become severe before visiting a health facility.

Ademola said clinicians had been sensitised to notify health authorities whenever they encountered suspected cases, while samples would be collected and sent to laboratories for confirmation.

The latest development comes amid continued efforts by FCT health authorities to prevent further transmission of diphtheria through enhanced surveillance, active case searches, vaccination and public sensitisation.