Edo records three diphtheria deaths, confirms six cases

Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, has confirmed that three fatalities have been recorded following the outbreak of diphtheria in the state.

Dr Oshiomhole made this known over the weekend during a media briefing in Benin City, where he provided updates on the public health situation.

He stated, “Since we declared the outbreak of the disease, we have recorded 15 suspected cases. Out of these figures, we have recorded six confirmed cases and three deaths.”

The commissioner also revealed that seven cases of dengue fever had been identified in the state, although no deaths have been linked to the virus so far.

According to him, the confirmed diphtheria cases were spread across six local government areas, but he assured residents that the situation was being managed effectively and remained under control.

Reiterating that diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, Dr Oshiomhole urged parents to prioritize immunization for their children.

“When there is low vaccine coverage, an outbreak like this would definitely happen, and currently, we have 65 percent vaccine coverage, and we are going to carry out the vaccination of children,” he said.

To strengthen the state’s response, he disclosed that the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, had provided 70 doses of anti-diphtheria vaccines, while Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, secured an additional 20 doses from neighboring Delta State.

The state government has donated critical medical supplies, including intravenous fluids, beds, oxygen cylinders, and personal protective equipment, to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where affected patients are receiving care.

Dr Oshiomhole added that the forthcoming vaccination campaign would target children aged 5 to 14, noting that some teenagers previously vaccinated had still contracted the disease, underscoring the importance of broader coverage.

He urged parents and school authorities to closely monitor children for any signs of illness and seek immediate medical care when necessary.

He advised the public to maintain clean surroundings, observe personal hygiene, practice physical distancing, cough into their elbows, and wash hands regularly to minimize the risk of infection.