The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, has commenced contact tracing following the confirmation of a clinically diagnosed case of diphtheria at the hospital.
According to Sahara Reporters, the case involved a patient who was receiving treatment at the facility’s Children’s Emergency Room but died two days after admission.
The development was disclosed in an internal memo signed by the hospital’s Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Charles Nonyelu, and circulated to Heads of Departments and Units.
The hospital said medical personnel made efforts to manage the patient but were unable to save the individual. Following the death, UNTH began contact tracing to identify people who may have been exposed and determine whether they require monitoring or medical attention.
UNTH also disclosed that the Children’s Emergency Room where the patient was treated had been decontaminated.
While acknowledging the seriousness of diphtheria, management urged staff and members of the hospital community to remain calm, noting that isolated cases had previously been treated successfully at the facility.
Staff were advised to remain vigilant for symptoms such as fever, sore throat and difficulty swallowing and to seek medical attention promptly if such symptoms develop.
Healthcare workers were also directed to continue observing standard infection-prevention and control measures.
The hospital did not disclose the identity or other personal details of the deceased patient. It also did not state whether additional patients or staff had tested positive, as contact tracing remains ongoing.