Panic on Wednesday gripped residents of Enugu State over reports of the death of an alleged diphtheria patient being managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.

The Guardian gathered that the patient was admitted to the Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) of the UNTH, but died two days later.

Confirming the development in a statement, the management of the UNTH however, called for calm, assuring members of the public, patients, staff and visitors to the facility that there was no cause for alarm.

He stated that contact tracing has started to identify anyone that may have had contact with the deceased.

The statement signed by the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the hospital, Dr Charles Nonyelu, regretted the death of the patient, despite being managed appropriately by the attending medical team.

He said: “A subsequent post-mortem review has raised the possibility that the clinical presentation may have been due to pharyngotonsillitis with massive exudate, rather than diphtheria.

“Nevertheless, in the interest of public safety and as a precautionary measure, contact tracing is ongoing to identify and monitor anyone who may have had close contact with the patient”.

He said that the Hospital has also carried out the necessary decontamination of the Children’s Emergency Room, in line with established infection prevention and control measures.

“Management wishes to emphasise that sporadic cases of diphtheria have been managed successfully at UNTH in the past. The Hospital has the requisite expertise and facilities to manage such cases, and there is therefore no cause for unnecessary panic or alarm.

“In view of the ongoing diphtheria situation in the country, members of the public are, however, encouraged to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with symptoms that may include fever, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing. Anyone who develops such symptoms is advised to seek prompt medical attention”, the statement added.

It called on all staff, patients, visitors and members of the public to continue to observe standard infection prevention and control precautions as they go about their normal activities.

The hospital also said that it remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of its patients, staff and the general public and would continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard public health.

“We urge everyone to remain calm, vigilant and guided by verified information”, it stated.

Meanwhile, the hospital has advised that in the light of the Diphtheria outbreak in the country, members of the public should be aware of the symptoms such as fever, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing and seek prompt medical care if they develop such symptoms.