Six-year-old dies of diphtheria in Osun, Adeleke activates emergency response

Tetanus and diphtheria vaccine – administration of antigenic material (vaccine) to stimulate an individual’s immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen.

The death of a six year old patient of diptheria in Osun state has promoted the governor, Ademola Adeleke, to order the immediate activation of the emergency response centre to curb the spread of the decease in the state.

In a statement issued Monday, Olawale Rasheed, chief press secretary to Adeleke, said the governor gave the directive after receiving a situation report from the ministry of health on the outbreak of the infection.

Rasheed said the report indicated that a six-year-old victim in Osogbo developed symptoms of diphtheria on June 25 and died of the infection on July 7.

He added that another suspected case was said to be under testing, noting that the governor also directed the contact tracing and immediate treatment of the infected residents.

“I have directed that the state emergency response centre be reactivated as a matter of urgency,” the statement reads.

“The confirmed case at Osogbo is to be immediately followed up with contact tracing to ascertain the status of those who had been in contact with the victim.

“Additionally, emergency treatment must be made available to the infected.

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“We are in touch with the National Centre for Disease Control for the exchange of information and technical support.

“I want to assure our people that proactive steps are being taken to nip in the bud any widespread escalation of the outbreak.

“Our people must be vigilant and observe precautions the ministry of health will soon be issuing.

“We must never forget to immunise our children and wards. Your government is on top of this medical development.”

According to the NCDC, Nigeria has recorded 789 cases of diphtheria and 80 deaths as of June 30.

The states that recorded cases are Kano, Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Kaduna, Osun and the federal capital territory (FCT).