NPHCDA says tetanus, diphtheria threat to pregnant women

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said that tetanus and diphtheria are threatening pregnant women.

It said immunisation was urgently recommended for the safety of pregnant women and their babies.

NPHCDA executive director Muyi Aina disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview.

Mr Aina said recent cases had shown a direct correlation between these infections and the loss of unborn babies, prompting a call for immediate action. He said tetanus and diphtheria, once thought of as rare, were resurfacing.

“The silent nature of these infections can catch many off guard, especially pregnant women, making it imperative to raise awareness about the potential dangers they pose during pregnancy,” he said.

He said studies had indicated a disturbing link between tetanus and diphtheria infections in expectant mothers and adverse outcomes, including premature births and fetal loss.

“Understanding the gravity of this situation is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of both the mother and the unborn child. Vaccination not only protects the mother from these potentially deadly infections but also creates a shield of immunity that extends to the developing fetus.

“Contrary to concerns, tetanus and diphtheria immunsations have proven to be safe for pregnant women, with negligible risks compared to the severe consequences of the infection,” he said.

He said timely vaccination was a key measure to prevent the loss of babies due to preventable diseases. He said a collective effort was needed to ensure that every pregnant woman was informed about the risks associated with tetanus and diphtheria and the importance of seeking immunisation.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in Epi-Week 48, 2023, 230 suspected cases were reported across six states and 28 LGAs.

The NCDC said 190 (82.6%) were confirmed cases distributed in 23 LGAs in four states, with two recorded deaths (CFR: 1.1%). It said cumulatively that from Epi-Week 19, 2022, to Epi-Week 48, 2023, 20,684 suspected cases were reported in 33 states and 280 LGAs.

The NCDC said that Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa accounted for 96.9 per cent of suspected cases.

According to the agency, of 12,086 confirmed cases, 69.4 per cent were in children aged one year to 14 years.

It said in response to the outbreak in December 2022, the NCDC activated a multi-sectoral National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre as a mechanism for coordinating surveillance and response activities across the country.

“The response activities include coordination, surveillance, laboratory investigation, risk communication, case management and immunisation activities,” the centre said.

It added that a multi-sectoral National Diphtheria Technical Working Group (TWG) had been established to bring together relevant stakeholders to regularly meet and monitor the disease trend and coordinate response activities in the country.

The agency also said that there had been deployment of NCDC Rapid Response Teams to some of the affected states (Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Osun, Yobe) to support response activities.