The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, has confirmed a clinically diagnosed case of diphtheria after the affected patient died two days after admission.
The development was disclosed in an internal memo issued by the hospital management to Heads of Departments and Heads of Units.
According to the memo, the patient was treated at the Children’s Emergency Room before dying despite efforts by medical personnel to save the patient.
Following the death, the hospital said it had commenced contact tracing to identify people who may have been exposed to the infection. The Children’s Emergency Room has also been decontaminated.
The management urged members of the hospital community not to panic, noting that sporadic cases of diphtheria had been successfully managed at the facility in the past.
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Staff were advised to remain vigilant and watch out for symptoms including fever, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, with those experiencing such symptoms urged to seek medical attention promptly.
The hospital also directed its staff to continue observing standard precautionary measures while carrying out their clinical duties.
The memo was signed by Dr Charles Nonyelu, Chief Medical Advisory Committee of UNTH.
The hospital did not disclose the identity or other personal details of the deceased patient, and it was not immediately stated whether any staff member or other patient had tested positive following the case.
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