Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu has dispelled recent information on social media alleging that diphtheria disease has claimed another life of a student at Technical Training College,TTC, in Irete, Owerri West LGA.
The commissioner, in a press statement, stated that the video claims were not only misleading but entirely unfounded.
She pointed out that the Ministry, on responding to the rumour, discovered that the medical case being referred to by the purveyors was not diphtheria-related, rather a suspected, yet to be confirmed case of malignancy, which according to her, bears no connection to any known communicable outbreak in the area.
She confirmed that experts from the Department of Public Health had since stepped into the matter, activating a prompt and professional response in line with public health best practices.
According to Mrs Egu, preliminary investigations and active surveillance had revealed no indicator of a diphtheria outbreak within the school or the LGA.
The ministry reassured parents, guardians, and the wider Imo public that there was no cause for alarm, adding that the situation remained firmly under control.
The health commissioner emphasized on the dangers associated with circulation of false information, especially in sensitive environments such as schools.
“The Ministry strongly warns against the spread of unverified and misleading narratives,
“Misinformation can fuel unnecessary panic and undermine the work of our health professionals,” she cautioned.
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