There is a bacterial infection currently making people sick across Nigeria. It’s called diphtheria and so far 216 people have been infected and 40 have died in 4 states:
- Kano
- Yobe
- Osun
- Lagos
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae which produces toxins that make people sick. The bacteria infects the respiratory system and can cause the following:
- Fever or high temperature
- Chills
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness/tiredness
- Headache
- Cough
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Pain, redness, swelling and sores on the skin
The bacteria that causes diphtheria can spread from one person to another – mostly through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread from touching open sores or wounds of an infected person.
