Four children in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, have succumbed to the diphtheria disease, prompting swift action from the state government. In response, the government has commenced the crucial task of contact tracing for children who were in contact with the deceased, aiming to provide them with necessary medical intervention.
The State Health Educator, Ishaya Amegwa, shared this information during the State Social Mobilisation Technical Working Group meeting in Lafia, the state capital, on Wednesday. Amegwa revealed that the state government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, is actively engaged in tracing contacts and administering preventive medication to affected children.
Urging parents and guardians, Amegwa emphasised the importance of ensuring their children receive routine vaccinations in the state as a preventive measure against diseases. He stated, “The Nasarawa State Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, has initiated contact tracing of children affected by the disease with the goal of providing them with preventable medication.”
Addressing the discovery of a circulating mutant poliovirus in neighbouring Plateau and Kaduna States, Amegwa reported that the state government has implemented stringent measures to prevent the outbreak of Diphtheria.
While encouraging members of the Technical Working Group, representing the State Ministry of Education, Media, and the interfaith forum, Amegwa stressed the need to intensify awareness campaigns on prevalent health issues to influence positive behavioural changes among the residents.