The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has declared an outbreak of diphtheria infection in certain areas of the capital city.

Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahman, Director of the FCT Public Health Department, made the announcement during a press conference held in Abuja on Monday.

Diphtheria is a severe infection caused by strains of bacteria known as Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produce toxins leading to breathing difficulties, heart rhythm problems, and potentially fatal outcomes.

Abdulrahman revealed that the disease has already claimed the life of a four-year-old child.

He recalled that the outbreak of the disease had previously been confirmed in Lagos, Kano, and Ondo states in January, prompting a national response led by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Abdulrahman explained that the outbreak in the FCT was confirmed after one of the samples taken from suspected cases in a village near the Dei-Dei area tested positive.

The director urged residents to prioritize personal hygiene and report any unusual symptoms, particularly those related to respiratory health, to the appropriate authorities.

“Two weeks ago, we received information from a community within the FCT about eight cases, which prompted our team to collect samples. The samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Gaduwa and the NCDC, and one of the suspected cases tested positive,” he stated.

Abdulrahman highlighted that the department is collaborating with neighboring states to prevent further spread of the disease through border surveillance.

Additionally, Dr. Yahaya Vatsa, Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), explained that unvaccinated individuals and those residing in crowded and unhygienic environments are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Vatsa listed some of the symptoms, including fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and breathing difficulties.

He emphasized that the disease spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated objects and clothing.

This underscores the significance of hygiene and environmental sanitation as preventive measures.

“To minimize the risk of contracting the disease, FCT residents are advised to ensure that their children receive the complete three doses of the pentavalent vaccine, as recommended in the National Childhood Immunization Schedule,” Vatsa advised.

The executive secretary stated that the FCTA, through the PHCB, has made arrangements to revaccinate all children under 14 years of age in the affected communities.

He added that children aged six weeks to four years would receive the Penta Vaccine, while those aged four to 14 years would receive the Td vaccine.

Vatsa further mentioned that the board will intensify routine immunization efforts across the six Area Councils of the FCT and provide immunization services at people’s doorsteps.

He advised individuals displaying any signs and symptoms to isolate themselves and promptly inform the FCT Disease Surveillance Notification Officer or the Emergency Operation Center using the toll-free lines provided by the FCT Call Center.

“Close contacts with infected cases are being closely monitored and provided with prophylactic antibiotics,” he concluded.