Photo courtesy of Anadolu
More than 50 children died in a diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area of Kano state, prompting calls for urgent government intervention, a local lawmaker said.
Ibrahim Malami, who represents Rano Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, said communities in Rurum Ward were among the areas hardest hit by the outbreak.
Malami told the Assembly that local health authorities had begun emergency measures, while his office provided medicines to assist affected residents.
He urged Kano Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf and state health officials to send additional medical personnel, medicines and other assistance as infections continued to spread.
Another lawmaker, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, said suspected cases had also been reported in communities in neighboring Kiru Local Government Area, including Kwanar Dangora, Garin Dangora and Yelwa.
The state Assembly subsequently called for immediate intervention and directed its health committee to coordinate with the Kano Health Ministry on the emergency response.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can cause serious illness and death, particularly among unvaccinated children. Nigerian health authorities recommend three doses of the pentavalent vaccine for infants at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age.
Nigeria has battled recurring diphtheria outbreaks in recent years, with Kano among the most affected areas. The latest deaths renewed concerns over vaccination coverage, disease surveillance and access to timely treatment in vulnerable communities. (Anadolu)