PRO/EDR> Diphtheria – Africa (18): Guinea (KA), Africa CDC country updates
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DIPHTHERIA – AFRICA (18): GUINEA (KANKAN), AFRICA CDC COUNTRY UPDATES
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In this update:
[1] Guinea
[2] Africa CDC country updates
[1] Guinea
Date: Fri 1 Sep 2023
Source: Guinee News [in French, machine trans., edited] https://guineenews.org/sante-lepidemie-de-la-diphterie-fait-37-morts-dans-la-region-de-kankan/
The disease called diphtheria is wreaking havoc in the Kankan region,
Guinéenews has learned. However, at the level of the Regional Health
Directorate, there is radio silence.
Indeed, since July 2023, diphtheria, an infectious disease caused by
the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, has been claiming victims
in Upper Guinea, particularly in the Kankan region. Currently, 37
cases of death have been recorded, all children between 0 and 7 years
old, according to the World Health Organization.
According to the explanations of Jean Traoré, head of Communication
and Media Unit of the ANSS [National Health Security Agency] on the
microphone of our colleagues from Universciences, the patients are
taken to the Kankan regional hospital for treatment.
“Our teams are on the ground carrying out investigations to find out
the causes and ways of spreading the disease. I specify that it is the
zones of Siguiri, Mandiana, [and Kankan] which are more concerned. At
the moment, 212 people are being monitored in these 3 prefectures,” he
said.
Contacted by our local editorial staff, the Kankan Regional Health
Directorate does not want to communicate on this situation, because a
WHO mission is announced in the following days.
The catch is that diphtheria is a serious disease that is spreading
through the region with its corollary victims.
People with diphtheria may develop fever, fatigue, and weakness.
General symptoms of malaise, fatigue, and weakness may be present. If
the disease is left untreated, the toxins produced by the bacteria can
lead to serious complications, such as heart and nerve problems.
Diphtheria is usually spread through airborne droplets from an
infected person’s coughs or sneezes.
In the meantime, no official communication has been made by Guinean
health structures to allow communities to understand what is
happening.
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