Kano Records 31,000 Suspected Cases Of Diphtheria Since 2022.1800 Death, KNCDC
From Muhammad Kabir, Kano
The Kano State Center For Diseases Control, has said that from December 2022 to date the State Investigated 39,000 cases of Diphtheria confirming 32,000 positive, linking the outbreak among Children to lacks of total Zero Dose Vaccination, while 1800 Confirmed Dead.
“Most of the cases are from the traditional Barbers who caused severe injuries to the Children at birth, while most Children lack total Zero Dose of any kind of vaccination”.
The Director General of the Center, Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said to newsmen, Saturday that they recorded more than 38,000 suspected diphtheria cases since 2022, with over 31,000 confirmed cases, adding that more than 55 per cent of the confirmed cases involved zero-dose children who had received no vaccination.
He further revealed that more than 27 local government areas in the state had recorded diphtheria cases, although the situation was largely under control due to the state’s surveillance and response mechanisms.
Professor Abbas said the state government had provided drugs and other medical consumables to support treatment, while reactive vaccination campaigns were being conducted in communities and schools whenever cases were detected.
He also disclosed that Kano State was monitoring cholera, saying 227 suspected cases had been identified, with laboratory confirmation establishing six current cholera cases in the state.
The KNCDC urged residents to promptly report suspected cases to the nearest healthcare facility, stressing that early detection and treatment remain critical to preventing deaths and further transmission.
Professor Abbas commended the Kano State House of Assembly, traditional institutions and community-based surveillance networks for their cooperation in disease detection and response.
He specifically called for continued collaboration between communities and health authorities to ensure that suspected cases are reported early and investigated promptly.
The KNCDC said its investigation into the reported deaths in Rano is ongoing, with health officials currently on the ground gathering further information to determine the actual number of cases and causes of death.
In the same vein, the State Government has constituted a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response following reports of diphtheria cases and deaths in some Local Government Areas of the State, with particular concern over the situation in Rano Local Government Area.
The constitution of the committee is aimed at strengthening and coordinating ongoing response efforts, conducting a comprehensive assessment of the outbreak, and taking immediate measures to prevent further spread of the disease to neighbouring Local Government Areas.
The Special Committee is chaired by the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu. Abbas, while the Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim, serves as a member.
Other members of the committee include the Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur M. Nagoda; Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB, Dr. Tijjani Habibu; Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Umar; State Epidemiologist, KNCDC, Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu; representatives of the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils; while Hussaini Rufai, M&E, KNCDC, serves as Secretary.
The committee has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive outbreak investigation to verify reported diphtheria cases and deaths across affected LGAs, while strengthening disease surveillance systems and ensuring daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the State.
It will also establish a centralized data registry for effective tracking of suspected and confirmed cases, identify immunisation gaps through intensified community mobilisation and sensitisation, and ensure the availability and timely supply of essential medical commodities to designated treatment centres.
In addition, the committee will work closely with health personnel in affected Local Government Areas to ensure a seamless and coordinated response, rapid information sharing, early detection of cases and effective management of the outbreak.
The State Government has therefore urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with health authorities by promptly reporting suspected cases and supporting ongoing public health interventions.
The Government reassures the people of Kano State that it remains committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of its citizens and will continue to take all necessary measures to contain the outbreak and prevent its further spread across the State.
