Diphtheria: 520 Children Die Of Suspected Cases In Kano

• Kazeem Badmus

The Kano state government on Tuesday, said 520 children have been said to have died of suspected cases of diphtheria outbreak.

This was as it said UNICEF had delivered 1.2 million doses of vaccines to the state government, among other things, to support its response to the diphtheria outbreak.

The Director General of Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Mohammed Nasir Mahmoud made this known at a media briefing in Kano organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for journalists in Northwest states.

He said: “There is the data we generate through our disease surveillance and reporting system. Based on that report, this year, Kano has reported about 8,700 suspected cases of diphtheria and about 6,000 have been confirmed. About 520 children are suspected to have died of related illnesses this year alone.

“We track this record on daily basis. We believe the record is much more than what we are getting because the reporting system is not as it should be.”

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Mahmoud, who noted that the state currently accounts for 80 per cent of the outbreak, assured government efforts at levels to meet the December target to combat and bring the disease under control across the country.

Kano Field Officer of UNICEF, Mr. Rahama Farah said the disease has spread to 39 of the 44 local government areas in the state with eight metropolitan local government areas being the worst hit.

Farah, who expressed worry about the development, noted that the outbreak posed a threat to child survival, health and the well-being of children.

The agency boss said there is a need for support and collaboration to tackle the disease headlong.

“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported diphtheria cases in Nigeria. The country is currently facing an outbreak of diphtheria that needs to be stopped and prevented.

“So far, the highest number of cases of diphtheria is reported from Kano State. For example, out of the 44 local government areas of Kano State, the diphtheria disease has spread to 39 LGAs.

“Since January 2023, Kano State reported over 5,800 cumulative cases of diphtheria in the state. Although there was a decline in reported cases in June, as of July, the diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano State.

“Eight local government areas are the most affected. They are: Ungogo (2,651), Dala (989), Fagge (943), Gwale (714), Kumbotso (713), Nassarawa (538), Kano Municipal (506), and Tarauni (269),” he said.