Nigeria
Nigeria's health authorities confirmed a deadly outbreak of diftheria on Friday (Jan.20).
In Kano state, one of the worst-hit states in the country's north, Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa the health commission for the state has recorded more than 70 suspected cases along with 25 deaths related to the bacterial infection.
The total number of confirmed cases and deaths is not yet known.
Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention revealed it initiated an emergency response to the outbreak and is monitoring the situation in four of the nation’s 36 states.
Authorities were first alerted about an outbreak among children in Kano state in late December, according to the state's chief epidemiologist.
Diphtheria causes breathing difficulties, heart failure and paralysis. The people most at risk are unvaccinated or live areas or with poor sanitation.
Nigeria has not had a diphtheria outbreak of this magnitude in recent years. The nation's capacity to diagnose the disease and treat patients is limited in many remote areas.
01:20
Nigeria school kidnapping: 250 children still held two weeks on
02:09
Toxic smoke chokes Conakry community as residents plead for government action
00:55
US to restrict visas for Nigerians involved in violence against Christians
01:00
Dangote invites petroleum regulator to verify output figures
01:11
Hundreds protest in Spain in support of Christians kidnapped in Nigeria
11:17
Simandou iron ore: Guinea’s mega project set to transform global mining [Business Africa]