BREAKING: Diphtheria Death Confirmed In Enugu As UNTH Begins Contact Tracing After Clinically Diagnosed Case

 

The hospital management disclosed this in an internal memo to Heads of Departments and Heads of Units, obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu State, has confirmed a clinically diagnosed case of diphtheria at the hospital, disclosing that the patient died two days after admission despite efforts by medical personnel to save the patient.

The hospital management disclosed this in an internal memo to Heads of Departments and Heads of Units, obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

According to the memo, the patient was managed at the hospital’s Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) before the death.

“Unfortunately, the patient was lost two days after admission, despite all efforts to treat this patient,” the memo stated.

The hospital said contact tracing had commenced following the case, while the CHER had also undergone proper decontamination.

UNTH management urged members of the hospital community not to panic, noting that sporadic cases of diphtheria had previously been managed successfully at the hospital.

“It is imperative to note that sporadic cases of diphtheria has been managed successfully in this hospital in the past as such there is no need for unnecessary panic,” the memo stated.

The development comes amid concerns over diphtheria outbreaks in parts of Nigeria, a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause serious illness.

The hospital management urged staff to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with symptoms associated with the disease.

It listed fever, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing among the symptoms members of the hospital community should watch out for, advising those who develop such symptoms to seek prompt medical attention.

“In the light of the Diphteria outbreak in the country, members of the hospital community should be aware of the symptoms such as fever, sore throat & difficulty in swallowing and seek prompt medical care if they develop such symptoms,” the memo stated.

The management further directed staff to continue observing standard precautions while carrying out their clinical duties.

The memo was signed by Dr Charles Nonyelu, Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of UNTH, Enugu.

The hospital did not disclose the identity, age or other details of the deceased patient in the internal communication.

It also did not state whether any member of staff or other patients had tested positive for diphtheria following the case, although it confirmed that contact tracing was ongoing.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS