Health authorities have been urged to intensify efforts to contain a diphtheria outbreak in Kano State following reports that more than 50 children have died in Rano Local Government Area.
The reported outbreak has raised concerns over the spread of the highly contagious bacterial disease, with health officials already taking emergency measures, including providing medication and deploying medical personnel to affected communities.
Concerns have also grown in neighbouring Katsina State, where a Federal Teaching Hospital is reportedly facing increasing pressure from suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases among children.
Diphtheria primarily affects the throat and nose and can cause serious complications, including breathing difficulties, heart problems, lung and kidney damage, and, in severe cases, death.
Health experts have identified low vaccination coverage, inadequate vaccine storage and transportation, weak disease surveillance systems and limited public awareness as major factors contributing to recurring outbreaks in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) issued national diphtheria surveillance guidelines in 2022, outlining measures for preventing, detecting and responding to outbreaks. However, recurring cases have continued to pose a major public health challenge.
Experts have also warned that a significant number of Nigerians, particularly children, remain vulnerable because of inadequate immunisation coverage.
The government has therefore been urged to launch an urgent, coordinated mass vaccination campaign across Kano State and other vulnerable areas. Authorities have also been advised to strengthen treatment facilities, isolate infected patients and improve public awareness about vaccination and early treatment.
Primary healthcare centres should be adequately equipped to manage diphtheria cases, particularly in communities where access to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities is limited.
Health authorities in Kano have also been encouraged to work closely with the Federal Government, neighbouring states and other relevant stakeholders, rather than handling the outbreak solely at the state level.
Experts further recommended stronger collaboration between the education and health sectors to ensure that routine childhood vaccination is prioritised and properly monitored.
Authorities have been warned that failure to take immediate action could allow the disease to spread further, posing a serious threat to Nigeria's public health system.
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