The Edo State Government has responded swiftly to a recent diphtheria outbreak at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where two deaths were reported last week. On Monday, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, delivered seventy doses of anti-diphtheria vaccine to UBTH, supplementing supplies recently received from neighboring Delta State.
Expressing concern over the outbreak’s unusual pattern, Dr. Oshiomhole noted that some infected individuals were fully vaccinated and included children over five years old—an age group not typically vulnerable to the disease. “We are studying why a 14-year-old, fully immunized, contracted diphtheria,” he said, adding that discussions with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Primary Health Care authorities are underway to consider extending vaccination beyond the usual age group, possibly including adults and healthcare workers.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the provision of hospital beds, medical fittings, and other resources to the UBTH emergency center, with plans to assist in offsetting patient medical bills.
At the hospital, Professor Stanley Okugbp, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, and Dr. Fidelis Eki-Udoko, Deputy Chairman and Consultant in charge of Children’s Emergency, welcomed the government’s support. They confirmed that all diphtheria patients are responding to treatment and urged the public to report symptoms promptly.
They listed common signs of diphtheria as thick gray membranes over the throat, sore throat, hoarseness, swollen neck glands, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, fever, chills, and fatigue. They emphasized vaccination and good hygiene, especially frequent handwashing, as key preventive measures against the highly contagious respiratory disease.
