The Director, National Orientation Agency Anambra State Directorate,Mr Edozie Ajaegbu has urged residents of the state to go to government health facilities and take diphtheria vaccination to prevent the spread of the contagious disease.
Mr Ajaegbu who made the call while briefing journalists in Awka on the outbreak of the ailment in Imo State in May last month, described it as a life threatening bacteria that affects the throat, nose, skin and can cause difficulty in breathing among others.
He disclosed that the disease spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, direct contacts with open sores or contaminated objects, saying that sore throat, difficulty in breathing, swollen neck,fever and chills are the symptoms of the disease.
Mr Ajaegbu pointed out that those at risks are unvaccinated children between the ages of five to eighteen years, adults as well as people living in crowded and unhygienic environments, calling on parents to vaccinate their children against the disease in government health facilities to prevent its spread.
