Panic over suspected diphtheria outbreak at King’s College, Lagos

Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), have expressed deep concern following reports of a suspected diphtheria outbreak that resulted in some students being hospitalized.

Speaking on Sunday, several parents attributed the situation to the school’s poor sanitation conditions, raising questions about the management’s handling of the incident.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized the school authorities for their lack of immediate action and limited communication about the outbreak.

The parent said, “If there are no cases, why are the students mandated to wear nose masks and some of them taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment? There were cases late last year.

“We heard that officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) were in the school yesterday (March 8), to sensitise the students on preventive measures against diphtheria disease. Why is the school secretive about the issue?

“Parents had complained several times about the poor environmental sanitation of the school and toilets, including food given to the students. Students even complain about some members of the food committee and what they do.

“A few weeks ago, some parents raised concerns that their children had fallen sick and were diagnosed with diphtheria at the hospital. Even, some PTA Exco don’t like parents to openly complain about such.
“Last week, the school sent a message to parents to sign a consent form that would enable their children to receive diphtheria vaccines in the school premises.”

A copy of the consent  indicated that the routine immunisation was organized by the school in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board through Eti-Osa Local Government.

Another parent voiced frustration about the state of the school clinic, emphasizing the need for a regular medical doctor to ensure better healthcare services.

Two parents confirmed that their children had been hospitalized in December with diphtheria.

“It was by GOD’S grace that my son survived. I was called to pick him up. He complained of sore throat. His neck was swollen and he had high fever. When we got to the hospital, he was on admission for over a week.

“In fact, there was another student who was hospitalised for same ailment the same time, but he didn’t pull through,” one of the parents said, calling for more stringent preventive measures and ongoing health education for students.

“These are still children, most of them restless and full of play. They need constant supervision especially in their toilet, washing and also eating and recreational habits.”

A relative of a student who was taken to LUTH on Saturday shared her distress:

“Let’s keep praying for the children. My sister is panicking and distraught especially since she heard a student died from the disease in December. I believe that all will be well.

“However, the Federal Government and schools management should look more into improving the standards of KCL and indeed all unity schools. The PTA should work to better the lot of schools and students and not cover up things that aren’t right. These schools are very good and should not be allowed to continuously fall below standards all round.”

In response, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna, Public Relations Officer of the King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that measures were being taken to contain the situation.

Ogbonna stated in a message titled, “Issue of Diphtheria Disease in Annex Campus, King’s College”:

“As part of their efforts, the management and PTA EXCO met and contacted the relevant government health agencies, who, in collaboration, advised that booster doses of vaccines should be administered to the students.

“However, some of the students who manifested symptoms have been isolated, taken to LUTH for diagnosis and results awaited. Other students who manifest symptoms subsequently would be taken to LUTH accordingly, and parents contacted for follow-up.

“Delegates of the World Health Organisation visited the Annex Campus this evening to play their own role in controlling the situation.

“On this note, we, therefore, implore parents to remain calm and prayerful as everything is under control. We shall overcome,” Ogbonna said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria that spread through respiratory droplets. The disease can damage the respiratory tract and spread to other parts of the body, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands.

WHO emphasized that while diphtheria can affect anyone, unvaccinated children are most at risk. The agency also highlighted that overcrowded living conditions can increase the spread of infection, but early treatment significantly reduces the risk of severe complications or death.

Preventive measures include vaccination, with WHO recommending six doses of a diphtheria-containing vaccine from infancy through adolescence for long-term protection.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that 41,336 suspected cases of diphtheria were recorded across 37 states between 2022 and early 2025, underscoring the ongoing public health challenge.

Parents are now calling for urgent improvements to infrastructure, water supply, and sanitation facilities at the college, alongside efforts to enhance teaching quality and staff attitudes to ensure the well-being of students in King’s College and other unity schools nationwide.