The Anambra State Government has launched a statewide sensitisation campaign on diphtheria following reports of the disease spreading in parts of the country.
The campaign is aimed at increasing public awareness, promoting vaccination and strengthening preventive measures against the potentially serious bacterial infection across communities in the state.
The Director of Public Health and Disease Control in the Anambra State Ministry of Health, Afam Anaeme, disclosed this on Monday during an interview in Awka.
Anaeme said the campaign was initiated on the directive of the Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, to educate residents on the symptoms, mode of transmission, prevention and public health implications of diphtheria.
He explained that information from the state’s disease surveillance system indicated that diphtheria was spreading in some parts of the country, making early awareness and preventive action necessary.
The director, however, assured residents that no confirmed case of diphtheria had been recorded in Anambra as of the time of the interview, urging residents to remain vigilant without panic.
According to Anaeme, diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused mainly by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can spread through respiratory droplets from infected persons during coughing, sneezing, laughing or other close interactions.
He said common symptoms include sore throat, mild fever, weakness, swollen neck and difficulty swallowing or breathing, adding that severe cases could affect vital organs, including the heart, kidneys and nerves.
Anaeme identified childhood immunisation as the most effective protection against diphtheria, noting that the vaccine is included in the pentavalent vaccine administered to children at six, 10 and 14 weeks.
He also advised residents to maintain proper hygiene, wash their hands regularly, avoid unnecessary close contact with suspected cases and use face masks where necessary to reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
The director said the Ministry of Health had intensified public sensitisation through radio jingles, social media campaigns and the distribution of information, education and communication materials across communities in the state.
He added that the ministry was collaborating with state-owned media organisations to feature health experts on radio and television programmes to educate residents about diphtheria and other respiratory infections.
Anaeme assured residents that the ministry would continue to strengthen disease surveillance and closely monitor developments, urging the public to remain calm, embrace routine childhood vaccination, observe recommended preventive measures and promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.
