Bauchi govt shuts down schools as diphtheria kills five students

Five students have reportedly died of suspected diphtheria in the Jamaare local government area of Bauchi State.

The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (BSPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, who disclosed this on Wednesday said the affected schools in the local government area have been closed to avoid more outbreaks.

Mohamed said out of the 28 suspected cases recorded so far in Jamaare, two others returned positive.

He, however, did not disclose the name of the affected schools nor reveal when the infection was detected

Mohammed described the deaths of the students as unfortunate adding that vaccination would be given to prevent further outbreak of the disease.