Fresh Diphtheria outbreak in Kano, boarding school affected

A fresh outbreak of diphtheria has been reported at First Lady’s College in Kumbotso Local Government area of Kano State, affecting the boarding school. Health authorities have confirmed 12 cases following the identification of numerous suspected infections. According to a staff member who spoke anonymously to Daily Trust, the outbreak was detected among the boarding school's students, who number over 2,000.

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) immediately launched an investigation upon receiving the report on Wednesday. One severely affected student has been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kano, while others are receiving treatment on-site. The Rapid Response Team, supported by officials from neighboring local government areas, was dispatched to contain the spread.

KNCDC Director-General, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, confirmed the incident and disclosed that they tested 313 suspected cases, confirming 12 through clinical examination. Abbas highlighted the urgent need for a mass vaccination campaign at the school, given the limited vaccine supply, stating that the institution requires additional vaccines for the protection of its over 2,000 students.

This development follows a recent report of a father in Kano losing five children to diphtheria within eight days. Abbas emphasized the importance of increased vaccine availability, recalling that the agency had previously requested nine million vaccine doses for mass immunisation across the state but received only 500,000 doses.