{
  "id": 4547045,
  "title": "Nigeria: Kano Sets Up Committee to Contain Diphtheria Outbreak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/nigeria-kano-sets-up-committee-to-contain-diphtheria-outbreak-4547045",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-31T01:46:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608310017.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kano State Government has established a special committee to tackle a diphtheria outbreak affecting certain areas within the state. Reports revealed cases and deaths linked to the disease, with heightened concern in Rano Local Government Area. The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar Ahmad, announced the committee's formation, stating it will conduct a thorough examination of the outbreak and prevent its propagation to neighboring areas. Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, Director-General of Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), leads the committee. It includes high-ranking health officials such as Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim, Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), and Dr Tijjani Habibu, Executive Secretary of Hospitals Management Board. Representatives from Kano, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya emirate councils are also part of the committee. The committee's mandate is to investigate and authenticate diphtheria cases and fatalities across impacted local government areas, enhance disease surveillance, and ensure daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers. It will also create a centralized data registry to monitor suspected and confirmed cases, spot immunization gaps, and boost community outreach and education. The committee must assure the availability and prompt delivery of crucial medical supplies to designated treatment centers. It aims to collaborate with health workers in affected areas to improve coordination, information exchange, early detection, and effective case management. The government appealed for residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to cooperate by promptly reporting suspected cases and aiding ongoing public health efforts. It affirmed its dedication to safeguarding residents' health and pledged to take necessary actions to curb the outbreak and avert further spread across the state.",
  "summary": "[Daily Trust] The Kano State Government has constituted a special committee to coordinate efforts to contain the reported outbreak of diphtheria in some parts of the state.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Kano sets up committee to contain diphtheria",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/kano-sets-up-committee-to-contain-diphtheria",
        "published": "2026-08-29T19:48:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "AllAfrica Health",
        "title": "Nigeria: Kano Sets Up Committee to Contain Diphtheria Outbreak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/nigeria-kano-sets-up-committee-to-contain-diphtheria-outbreak",
        "published": "2026-08-31T01:46:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}