Nigeria: Diphtheria Kills 50 Children in Kano
[Daily Trust] About 50 children have been killed in an outbreak of Diphtheria in Kano State.
An outbreak of diphtheria has claimed the lives of approximately 50 children in Kano State, Nigeria, according to lawmaker Ibrahim Muhammad. The situation is reportedly severe in Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura communities, where most victims perished. Muhammad, representing Rano Constituency, called for urgent assistance from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Commissioner for Health to combat the disease. Additional support is needed to provide medication and deploy more health workers.
Other lawmakers, including Usman Abubakar Tasiu from Kiru Constituency and Saleh Ahmad from Dawakin Tofa Constituency, echoed Muhammad's concerns. Tasiu noted that the outbreak has spread to other areas, such as Kwanar Dangora, Dangora town, and Yelwan Paki in Kiru. Ahmad urged the government to intensify vaccination efforts and other preventive measures, warning of the highly contagious nature of diphtheria and its potential to rapidly spread to neighboring communities.
Majority Leader Lawan Husseini proposed invoking the state's Health Protection Law to contain the outbreak. The law grants the government the power to provide emergency relief, free healthcare, and restrict movement and isolate affected areas during infectious disease outbreaks. The House approved the motion, directing the Committee on Health to collaborate with the Ministry of Health on implementing the law and providing emergency relief to affected communities.
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