In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin on Monday, Ojeifo highlighted the importance of vaccination, noting that Diphtheria is a preventable disease.
He urged mothers and caregivers to ensure their children receive the free vaccines available, emphasizing that vaccination is crucial in protecting children from deadly childhood diseases.
Ojeifo attributed the two deaths to the late presentation of the affected children to the hospital, stressing the need for timely medical intervention rather than relying on self-medication.
“It is a sad occurrence for the state, and there is a need for timely visits to the hospital when children, including adults, are sick, instead of resorting to self-medication,” Ojeifo said.
He further revealed that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, had provided the state with Diphtheria antitoxins, which were successfully used on patients who sought early treatment. While these antitoxins are not available for purchase, the state has been able to secure a supply from the NCDC and still has some in stock.
As of now, Edo State does not have any active suspected cases of Diphtheria.
The World Health Organization, Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial disease that affects the upper respiratory tract and, less commonly, the skin, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands.
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