Tuberculosis kills 300 in Ogun

• According to Olawusi, the 300 deaths were out of the over 6,000 cases recorded in the South West State in 2023

300 persons died of tuberculosis in Ogun State last year, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has disclosed.

The Senior programme officer of IHVN, Ms Florinda Olawusi, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen at Abeokuta on the occasion of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day.

According to Olawusi, the 300 deaths were out of the over 6,000 cases recorded in the South West State in 2023.

Olawusi said over a 100% incry in record cases of the deadly ailment from 2019 was worrisome, adding that according to data from the IHVN and USAID TB-LON 3 project for Ogun State, 3000 cases were recorded in 2019.

He noted that 95% of the patients were already placed on treatment which would last for six months.

“Since the inception of TB long 3 project in Ogun state which started in 2019, Ogun state was diagnosing a little over 3,000 cases annually but presently from 2019 till now for example last year in 12 month they were able to diagnose over 6,000 cases which is a huge increment. Its over a 100% increase in the number of cases diagnosed.

“The treatment lasts for six months. So, what that means is that after six months once the duration of the treatment is complete the patient leaves the program. As at last year, we were able to identify 6,000 cases and 95% of them were placed on treatment,” she said.

On the number of deaths, he said “Yes, there have been some TB related death in the past year, a little over 300 patients died from TB related causes last year in Ogun state.”

The state programme manager for TB and Leprosy Control, Olusola Taiwo, said “One of the predisposing factors for TB infection is staying in over crowded environment, so people should stay where there is good ventilation, indiscriminate pit, they should try put on their coughing etiquette to prevent the spreading of TB germs.”