[email protected]
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
DRASA (Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh) Health Trust
  • Home
  • COVID-19
    • Our COVID-19 Experience: The Last 6 Months
    • COVID-19 Education: Staying Safe
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh
    • Our People
      • Board of Advisors
      • Board of Trustees
      • Management Team
  • What We Do
    • Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
      • Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Training
      • COVID-19 Education: Staying Safe
    • Community Health & Hygiene
      • Youth Ambassadors
      • Community Health
    • Annual Reports
  • Get Involved
  • News & Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Donate

Have you Heard About the Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria?

Home News Have you Heard About the Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria?

News, Outbreak Preparedness22/02/2023drasa_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:

  • Kano
  • Yobe
  • Osun
  • Lagos

Diphtheria Outbreak 2023

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:

  • Fever or high temperature
  • Chills
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Weakness/tiredness
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Swollen glands in the neck
  • Pain, redness, swelling and sores on the skin

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.

Diphtheria Outbreak 2023 Corynebacterium diphtheriae

The diphtheria bacteria can infect anyone but the people who are most likely to get infected include:

  • People who live in overcrowded or unclean environments
  • Children and adults who don’t have up-to-date vaccinations. Diphtheria vaccine is given to children as a 5 in 1 vaccine – that means it helps protect children against 5 infectious diseases including diphtheria but it can only work well if you complete all 3 doses – taken at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks old
    • If you have not been vaccinated with yet, be aware that you are at risk of catching it
    • In fact, 88% of the current cases of diphtheria in Nigeria are children and adults who were not vaccinated
  • Anyone who travels to areas where diphtheria infections are more common

If you think you or one of your loved ones is sick and may have diphtheria, please visit your local health facility or:

  • If you live in Lagos, call 1 of the 2 the official Lagos state reporting lines: 0816 566 8777 or 0816 805 7664
  • If you live outside Lagos, call the NCDC toll-free number: 6232 or send an SMS to 08099555577

 

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Google Plus Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Send email Mail

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Five Nigerian Women in Health Security: Why We Love Them
  • Have you Heard About the Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria?
  • Receiving the Inaugural Africa CDC – DRASA Continental Award for Emergency Health Workers in Africa
  • Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together: Celebrating World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
  • Global Handwashing Day 2022: Educating 1566 Students, 84 Teachers, and 60 Traders

Categories

  • #IDFridays
  • #ItStartsWithMe
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Awards and Recognition
  • Awards and Recognition
  • Community Outreach
  • DRASA Ambassadors
  • Health Security
  • Humans of DRASA
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • News
  • Outbreak Preparedness
  • Press Releases
  • Youth Engagement

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • July 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015

About Us

DRASA Health Trust is a public health organization working with government, local and international partners, community leaders, students, and health workers to promote adequate sanitation and hygiene, reduce and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and strengthen Nigeria’s health security and emergency preparedness.

DRASA was established in memory of the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh who identified and contained Nigeria's first Ebola patient, preventing a major outbreak, but lost her life in the process.

Recent Posts

  • Five Nigerian Women in Health Security: Why We Love Them 08/03/2023
  • Have you Heard About the Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria? 22/02/2023
  • Receiving the Inaugural Africa CDC – DRASA Continental Award for Emergency Health Workers in Africa 15/12/2022
  • Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together: Celebrating World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 26/11/2022
  • Global Handwashing Day 2022: Educating 1566 Students, 84 Teachers, and 60 Traders 17/10/2022

Contacts

17 Ibikunle Street, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
+234 (0) 803 613 1484
[email protected]
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Website Design By RDM
© 2023 Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust - All Rights Reserved.