Kano State Centre for Disease Control confirms diphtheria outbreak

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) confirmed a diphtheria outbreak at First Lady’s College, Mariri, in Kumbotso Local Government Area, with 12 cases clinically confirmed out of 313 suspected cases tested. The report was received on Wednesday, prompting the deployment of a Rapid Response Team to investigate and contain the outbreak.

One student with severe symptoms has been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kano, while the other confirmed cases are being treated at the school, which houses over 2,000 boarding students. Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, the Director-General of KNCDC, expressed concern over an acute shortage of vaccines and called for an urgent mass vaccination campaign to protect the students.

This outbreak follows a previous incident in October, where diphtheria resulted in approximately 50 deaths in Rano Local Government Area. Prof. Abbas urged parents and residents to report symptoms early and ensure children are vaccinated to prevent further spread.