Godwin Isenyo No fewer than three children have reportedly lost their lives to diphtheria outbreak in Tukur Tukur settlement, Zaria Local Government of Kaduna State. A health team led by the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Bello Jamo confirmed this during a visit to the community on Sunday.
The team, which included a World Health Organisation representative, visited the community after reports of death of some children in the area. Jamo attributed the incident to non-compliance with diphtheria vaccination during a routine exercise conducted two months ago. The KPHCB boss noted that it was the first reported case of outbreak of the disease in the 13 wards of Zaria LG after the routine vaccination conducted in June.
The settlement had the highest rejection rate of the vaccine, according to him. He said, “Based on our record, Tukur Tukur settlement has been the highest in the rejection rate of vaccines during our previous routine exercise. “So I met with the ward leaders, religious and opinion leaders and urged them to scale up sensitisation campaigns on the need to embrace the vaccine.
” To contain the outbreak, the team vaccinated over 1,000 children in the area and ordered continued vaccination for the next week in neighbouring settlements. He also urged local leaders and health officials to scale up sensitisation campaigns on the importance of vaccination. The Health Secretary of the local council, Abdullahi Sule, reported that one.