Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has ordered an investigation into the death of 10 children in some communities in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of the state.
This is just as the Kaduna State Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak of diphtheria, a deadly disease, in some communities in Kafanchan.
According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Shehu, the directive came after several reports were made about residents in Takau Ward, Kafanchan A and Kafanchan B wards, exhibiting symptoms, including difficulty in breathing, high fever, cough, general body weakness, sore throat, and neck swelling.
“Upon learning about the unfortunate loss of lives in the affected communities, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State immediately directed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate these cases.
“A preliminary report from the ministry revealed that the outbreak of diphtheria in Kafanchan had its first recorded case at the beginning of July 2023,” the statement read in part.
The governor, while commending the health officials for their prompt response to the health emergency, urged them to continue to carry out their tasks diligently to ensure that the disease was contained and subsequently eradicated.
He also advised residents to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease and protect their communities by washing their hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and staying home from work or school when they are sick.