News, Outbreak Preparednessdrasa_admin
There is a bacterial infection currently making people sick across Nigeria. It’s called diphtheria and so far 216 people have been infected and 40 have died in 4 states:
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae which produces toxins that make people sick. The bacteria infects the respiratory system and can cause the following:
The bacteria that causes diphtheria can spread from one person to another – mostly through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread from touching open sores or wounds of an infected person.
The diphtheria bacteria can infect anyone but the people who are most likely to get infected include:
If you think you or one of your loved ones is sick and may have diphtheria, please visit your local health facility or: