Nigeria, Aug. 9 -- The Niger State Government has confirmed 17 deaths from diphtheria out of 124 cases recorded in three local government areas within the last seven months.

The Commissioner for Health, Murtala Bagana, disclosed this on Friday while presenting an overview of the state's health sector at the Second Quarter Press Parley organised by the state Ministry of Information and Orientation in Minna.

Mr Bagana said 103 patients had been treated and discharged, while 17 deaths were recorded in Bida, Suleja and Shiroro local government areas.

He added that three new cases were recently identified, with one patient currently receiving treatment.

The commissioner said the government was strengthening disease surveillance, case manag...