Diphtheria Kills Four Children In Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government said it has commenced contact tracing following the death of four children as a result of the diphtheria disease in the state.

The state government said it is tracing the children who had contact with the deceased in conjunction with the World Health Organisation.

This was disclosed by the State Health Educator, Mr Ishaya Amegwa, during the state Social Mobilisation Technical Working Group meeting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday.

Amegwa noted that children were usually vulnerable to diseases, calling on parents to avail them of preventable vaccinations.

He stated, “Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organisation had already begun contact tracing of children who have been affected with the deceased with the aim of offering them preventable medication.”

On the circulating mutant poliovirus discovered in neighbouring Plateau and Kaduna states, he said the state government had taken drastic measures to avert its outbreak.

The state Health Educator urged members of the Technical Working Group, including representatives of the State Ministry of Education, Media and Interfaith forum, to intensify awareness creation on trending health issues to change the behaviour of the people.