Nigeria: Zamfara Records Diphtheria 44 Deaths, Extends School Resumption
[Daily Trust] The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has recorded 44 deaths from an outbreak of diphtheria in parts of the state.
The Zamfara State Government has extended the reopening of all public and private schools in the state by two weeks due to a diphtheria outbreak. This decision was made to safeguard the health and well-being of students, teachers, and the entire school community. Education Commissioner Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam announced the extension on Monday, emphasizing the need for additional time to enhance disease surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination verification, public awareness, and other preventive measures.
School owners, heads of schools, and management boards are urged to comply with the extension and utilize the period to clean and decontaminate their premises, ensuring ample hand-washing facilities. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to cooperate with health authorities on vaccination, screening, and preventive measures.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment. The resumption date has been set for Monday, 28th September 2026, pending confirmation with the approved academic calendar. The State Government expresses gratitude for the understanding and cooperation from parents, teachers, school owners, traditional institutions, Local Government Councils, and other education stakeholders.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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