Schools Closed In Bauchi As Diphtheria Kills Students

By Ayodele Oni

Five students have been confirmed dead of suspected diphtheria in Bauchi State.

The latest incident happened at the Jamaare Local Government Area and has led to the closure of public schools in the affected area.

Diphtheria is an infection that can lead to difficulty in breathing as well as affect the heart, among other symptoms.

The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (BSPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, who disclosed this on Wednesday confirmed that the affected schools in the local government area have been closed to avoid more outbreak.

Mohammed said out of the 28 suspected cases recorded so far in Jamaare, two others returned positive.

He, however, did not disclose the name of the affected schools nor reveal when the infection was detected.

Mohammed described the deaths of the students as unfortunate adding that vaccination would be given to prevent further outbreak of the disease.