NCDC - Diphtheria could be Lack of childhood immunisation.

There is an outbreak of a deadly throat disease known as diphtheria in certain parts of the country. The Nigeria Centre of Disease Control and Prevention has said that lack of childhood immunisation could cause it.



Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the NCDC Director-General, said that the ailment is a vaccine preventable disease and is also treatable, it is still very deadly and should not be taken lightly.



Adetifa, who spoke in a television programme, added that the resurgence of the disease in some states in Nigeria was proof that there had been significant reduction in childhood immunisation and vaccination among some of the population.



According to him, ”Diphtheria, a vaccine preventable disease that used to be common many years ago is on the increase in some states in Nigeria. The fact that there is a resurgence speculates that there is significant reduction in vaccination coverage among pockets of the population and this reduced pockets of immunity has given rise to the cases we have seen.