The Kaduna State Government has recorded 68 suspected cases and eight deaths from diphtheria in the state.

Hamza Ibrahim-Ikara, the Director of Public Health, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency, made this known during an interview with  NAN on Tuesday in the state.

Diphtheria is a severe bacterial infection that usually affects the nose and throat mucous membranes.

The Director of Public Health said the cases were from four local government area of the state, which are; Makarfi, Kubau, Jema’a (Kafanchan) and Kaduna North.

Ibrahim-Ikara added that five of the fatalities were from Jema’a and three from Makarfi.

He said: “We still have one suspected case in Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital now,” revealing that 28 samples were taken to the laboratory. “For now, they are all suspected cases, no confirmation yet until the results are out.”

Ikara said contact tracing and active search are also ongoing to curb transmission.

He also said that the Rapid Response Team was carrying out media and door-to-door sensitisation campaigns in communities.”