Deaths from the outbreak of diphtheria disease in Kaduna have reportedly risen to 13 according to the latest official figures. A breakdown shows 10 people have reportedly died from the disease in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while 3 children died in Makarfi Local Government Area, while seven others were hospitalised. Confirming the outbreak in Markafi LGA, Local Council Health Secretary, Malam Aliyu Alhassan, said the suspected cases occurred at Tashar Na Kawu community in Gubuchi Ward of the area. He said: “Affected victims were children and the specimen of the victims was forwarded to Abuja for analysis. He said in an interview that their findings revealed that 17 people were infected and “we are still doing contact search to identify more people who may have been infected.”

Source: Punch July 23, 2023 22:08 UTC