A diphtheria outbreak in Zaria, Kaduna State, has claimed the lives of at least three children and infected six others, raising alarm among residents and prompting a swift response from health authorities.
The outbreak, centered in the Kwarbai and Tukur-Tukur communities, has exposed vulnerabilities in public health infrastructure and underscored the urgent need for improved healthcare access.
According to Dr. Bello Jamoh, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, the state has been grappling with diphtheria outbreaks for the past 10 months, with the latest cases reported since October 2024.
“The Kaduna State Ministry of Health is leading the response, with support from partners and stakeholders,” Jamoh said, adding that a team of medical experts would be deployed to curb the spread and provide clinical support.
The highly contagious bacterial infection, caused by “Corynebacterium diphtheriae”, has left families devastated.
Mallam Bashir-Magaji Basharata, a resident of Kwarbai, lost his daughter to the disease, which he described as spreading rapidly across the city.
“My daughter developed a swollen neck, had difficulty breathing, and couldn’t speak. We rushed her to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Shika, but she passed away,” Basharata recounted.
He noted that three of his other children are showing similar symptoms, and four additional children are admitted at the Kakaki Primary Health Care Clinic.
Community leaders have raised concerns about the lack of adequate medical resources in Kaduna State, with reports suggesting that health teams are stretched thin.
“The situation is alarming,” Basharata said, echoing widespread fears about the state’s preparedness.
The outbreak has reignited discussions about systemic healthcare challenges. In Tukur-Tukur, a previous outbreak in August 2024 killed five children, prompting a joint intervention by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and local health authorities.
Dr. Bello Yusuf Jamo, who led a health team to the area, attributed the recurrence to inadequate healthcare access and low community awareness.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, a community elder and Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum, emphasized the need for robust public health measures.
“The recurrence of diphtheria raises critical questions about our infrastructure and community awareness,” he said.
Suleiman called for increased investment in healthcare facilities, training for health workers, and surveillance systems to monitor disease trends.
Diphtheria, a highly contagious disease, spreads through respiratory droplets and can cause severe symptoms, including sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory failure.
The WHO has been supporting Nigeria’s response by providing technical guidance, procuring diphtheria antitoxin, and conducting risk assessments. However, global shortages of antitoxin and strained healthcare systems continue to hamper efforts.
The Kaduna State government has assured residents that measures are underway to contain the outbreak, including house-to-house surveys and intensified public health campaigns.
Community leaders in Tukur-Tukur have pledged to enhance monitoring and sensitization to ensure compliance with health initiatives.
Health officials are urging residents to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms and to cooperate with health interventions, emphasizing that collective action is essential to prevent further loss of life.
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