Suspected diphtheria outbreak kills 3 children in Kaduna

Tragedy has struck Zaria in Kaduna State, as a suspected diphtheria outbreak has claimed the lives of at least three children, with six others currently infected.

The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Bello Jamoh, confirmed the development, revealing that the outbreak has been ongoing in the state for nearly 10 months, dating back to October 2024.

Jamoh explained that the Kaduna State Ministry of Health is at the forefront of coordinating the emergency response, working closely with partners and health stakeholders to curb the spread of the disease.

Mr Jamoh added that a team of experts would be deployed to strengthen efforts in tackling the spread and providing medical support.

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Meanwhile, Bashir-Magaji Basharata, a resident of Kwarbai, Zaria, who lost his daughter, said the disease was spreading fast across the city.

He said his daughter developed a swollen neck and difficulty breathing and speaking, and was rushed to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika.

In spite of urgent care at the hospital, Mr Basharata said his daughter passed away. Soon after, three other children developed similar symptoms.

“I immediately informed the local council health department, which responded by sending a team of vaccinators to the area,” he said.

He added that two children from a neighbour’s household were affected, along with another girl from a nearby street.

Mr Basharata also reported that four children showing diphtheria symptoms were admitted at Kakaki Primary Health Care Clinic near Kwarbai.

He said only one of the children admitted at the Kakaki clinic had been discharged as of his last visit.

He expressed concern over reports that no diphtheria vaccines were available across the entire Kaduna State.

Mr Basharata said the visiting medical team claimed they sourced the vaccines from neighbouring Niger.

(NAN)