There has been an outbreak of diphtheria at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and the disease has reportedly claimed many lives in the last few days.
Consequently, staff and medical workers in the hospital are warning the general public to shun the hospital for now.
It was alleged that an 11-year- old girl who was brought to the hospital died within two days just as many others were said to have died.
A medical student of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, who is on posting (Name withheld), told our correspondent that workers are protected against the deadly disease with protective gears such as face and nose masks.
“The thing came to light about a week ago. They gave us protective gears against the disease. It is more deadly than COVID-19,” the student said.
The Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) in the hospital, Dr. Charles Nonyelum acknowledged the presence of the disease in the hospital, saying that workers are equipped to deal with the situation while urging the general public not to panic.
In a statement tagged: ‘Call for calm and caution following a suspected case diphtheria at UNTH,’ Nonyelum wrote: “The management of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, wishes to reassure members of the public, patients, staff and visitors following the recent management of a clinically suspected case of diphtheria at the Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) of the Hospital.
“The patient was managed appropriately; however, regrettably, the patient passed away two days after admission despite the efforts of the attending medical team.
“A subsequent post-mortem review has raised the possibility that the clinical presentation may have been due to pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria.
“Nevertheless, in the interest of public safety and as a precautionary measure, contact tracing is ongoing to identify and monitor anyone who may have had close contact with the patient.
“The Hospital has also carried out the necessary decontamination of the Children’s Emergency Room, in line with established infection prevention and control measures.”
