One dead as Taraba records first diphtheria case

…Activates surveillance

By Femi Bolaji

JALINGO — Taraba State has recorded its first confirmed case of diphtheria, resulting in the death of a patient in Bali Local Government Area and prompting health authorities to activate an emergency public health surveillance response.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr Udi Aketemo, confirmed the fatality to newsmen in a telephone interview, saying the patient died from the acute bacterial infection before comprehensive clinical management could be administered.

Aketemo explained that the state initially faced challenges due to the absence of dedicated local diagnostic infrastructure. However, he said testing capacity had now been restored following the deployment of specialised laboratory kits and equipment to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo.

According to him, the diagnostic upgrade had significantly improved testing turnaround time and facilitated faster emergency interventions across the state.

Aketemo said 14 suspected cases were identified following the index case in Bali and subjected to laboratory analysis, with all 14 returning negative results.

He said despite the negative results, the Ministry of Health had activated its surveillance system to contain the infection and prevent community transmission.

“Following the index case in Bali, 14 suspected cases were identified and subjected to laboratory analysis, and all 14 returned negative.

“Notwithstanding the negative results, the Ministry of Health has activated its full surveillance architecture to contain the infection and prevent community transmission, with active contact tracing centred on Bali and adjoining border settlements,” he said.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Buma G. Bordiya, assured residents that the state government was taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the vaccine-preventable respiratory infection to other parts of the state.

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