Diphtheria Outbreak in Kano State Sparks Concern as Cases Surge

A worrying diphtheria outbreak in Kano State has raised alarms as the number of affected individuals continues to rise.

The state government has taken swift action, deploying contact tracing teams to track patients and contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Dr. Abdullahi Karaunmata, the state Epidemiologist, provided a grim update on the situation during a press briefing. With over 100 patients currently admitted to hospitals and more than 2,000 others treated and discharged, the health authorities are facing a challenging situation.

The outbreak has been reported in 31 out of the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State, prompting authorities to establish two dedicated treatment centers to manage the surge in cases. The epidemiology unit has been working tirelessly, conducting contact tracing operations across the high-burden LGAs, searching for patients with symptoms of diphtheria.

Dr. Karaunmata raised concerns about a potential link between the resurgence of diphtheria and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown measures and disruptions to routine immunization during the pandemic may have left many children unimmunized and vulnerable to infectious diseases. Moreover, some parents and caregivers hesitating to seek immunization for their children have compounded the problem.

In response to the escalating outbreak, the Kano State Government has activated a technical working group on diphtheria, comprising experts from various fields. Supported by development partners, the committee is working tirelessly to control the spread of the disease. Daily meetings and incident management efforts have been put in place to tackle the crisis effectively.

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To enhance treatment capabilities, a well-equipped diphtheria treatment center has been set up at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. With the support of MSF and other partners, the center is staffed with well-trained healthcare professionals, ensuring patients receive prompt and adequate care.

In addition to the existing treatment center, the government has also opened a new facility within the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH). The move aims to ensure that every suspected case is thoroughly screened, and positive patients receive immediate treatment.

Dr. Karaunmata emphasized that diphtheria has been a known health challenge, but successful immunization efforts using the PENTA vaccine had kept it in check. However, the current resurgence has become a cause for concern, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining routine immunization programs.

The Kano State Government is sparing no effort to control the outbreak and protect the wellbeing of its citizens. The situation underscores the need for timely and comprehensive immunization efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations from preventable diseases. Health authorities continue to work diligently to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread in the state.