Kano Government Denies 50 Diphtheria Deaths in Rano

The Kano State Government has dismissed reports of 50 children dying from diphtheria in Rano Local Government Area, asserting that official data does not support such claims. Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), confirmed that 32 diphtheria cases were recorded in Rano, with a cumulative total of 29 deaths from July 2023 to August 2026, including only two deaths in 2026.

The claims were raised by Ibrahim Muhammad, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly, who called for urgent government intervention. The KNCDC stated that 94% of those affected were unvaccinated, and 91% sought treatment late.

The center has deployed a team to verify the claims of 50 deaths but has found no evidence supporting them. Abbas questioned how such a high death toll could occur without being reported through existing surveillance structures.

The KNCDC is committed to enhancing disease surveillance and response efforts in Kano State.