Kano Government Disputes Diphtheria Death Claims in Rano

The Kano State government has refuted claims made by Ibrahim Muhammad, the member representing Rano Constituency, that diphtheria has caused 50 child fatalities in the area. Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), stated that the actual recorded deaths in Rano are only two, with a total of 29 deaths statewide from 32 cases reported between July 2023 and August 2026.

He noted that 25 patients were treated at the Diphtheria Treatment Centre in Rano General Hospital, while seven others were cared for at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Kano. Abbas highlighted that 94% of those affected had not been vaccinated and 91% sought treatment late.

He criticized the lawmaker for making unverified public statements and reported that KNCDC teams could not confirm the alleged deaths despite community engagement. Efforts to meet with the lawmaker for further information have been unsuccessful, but KNCDC remains committed to investigating credible leads.