Apprehension As Diphtheria Kills Four Children In Nasarawa, Govt Begins Contact Tracing

At least four children have tragically lost their lives in Nasarawa State after contracting the diphtheria disease.

This has prompted the state government to commence contact tracing of children who have had contact with the deceased to offer them medication.

The State Health Educator, Ishaya Amegwa, disclosed this during the State Social Mobilisation Technical Working Group meeting in Lafia, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Amegwa, who disclosed that the state government was collaborating with the World Health Organisation, urged parents and guardians to avail their children of routine vaccinations in the state to guard against diseases.

“The Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organisation had started contact tracing of children who have been affected with the disease with the aim of offering them preventable medication,” he said.

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

The State Health Educator, however, 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 behaviours of the residents.