Health
FCTA Debunks Viral Claim Linking Diphtheria To Watermelon
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has debunked a viral social media claim linking an alleged diphtheria case in Abuja to the consumption of sliced watermelon.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), said this in a statement on Wednesday made available to newsmen through her media aide, Mrs Bola Ajao.
Fasawe said a field verification by the FCT Public Health Department and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) found no evidence to substantiate the claim.
She said the post by Ivan Eagle Lawson contained a photograph of a man identified as Mr Simeon Okoh, alleged to be a diphtheria victim in Abuja.
According to her, a multidisciplinary Rapid Response Team from the FCT Public Health Department and AMAC visited the location stated in the post on Sept. 28 to investigate the claim.
She said enquiries with the estate management and physical observations showed that the alleged address was inconsistent with the estate’s road designations.
“The estate management could not identify a resident matching the details provided and reported no knowledge of the alleged incident,” she said.
Fasawe said checks of the FCT diphtheria line list and records at the National Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa, also found no corresponding record.
She said the investigation neither established the identity of the person in the photograph nor found evidence linking him to a confirmed diphtheria case or to watermelon consumption.
“The ongoing diphtheria response in the FCT continues, and residents should remain vigilant and report suspected illness promptly,” Fasawe said.
She explained that diphtheria was a serious, vaccine-preventable bacterial infection usually caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
According to her, the infection spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected respiratory secretions or skin lesions.
Fasawe said most cases recorded during the current FCT outbreak had been among children, especially those aged five to nine years, many of whom were unvaccinated.
She urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children received all vaccinations recommended for their age, including the three primary doses of diphtheria-containing pentavalent vaccine provided through routine childhood immunisation.
“Children with missed doses or uncertain vaccination histories should be taken to the nearest primary healthcare facility for assessment and appropriate catch-up vaccination.
“Residents experiencing fever, sore throat, neck swelling or difficulty swallowing should seek medical assessment promptly. Difficulty breathing requires urgent medical attention,” she said.
Fasawe also urged healthcare workers to immediately notify the appropriate Area Council Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer of suspected cases.
She appealed to residents to respect privacy and avoid stigmatising individuals, communities or food vendors over unverified health claims.
She advised residents against forwarding the social media post, including the names, photographs and alleged addresses, stressing that a photograph alone could not confirm diphtheria.
Fasawe said anyone with information that could assist in verifying such claims should share it privately with the FCT Public Health Department or AMAC health authorities.
She said the FCT would continue surveillance, awareness and community engagement activities, including door-to-door sensitisation, radio jingles and distribution of information, education and communication materials.
The mandate secretary also cautioned residents against sharing unverified claims of Ebola outbreaks, urging them to rely on official updates from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
According to her, unverified health claims could heighten anxiety and distract from ongoing public health response activities.
“Residents seeking clarification should contact the FCT Public Health Department or the NCDC. Public health enquiries and alerts may also be directed to the NCDC toll-free line, 6232,” she said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Tosin Kolade