The Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC, has identified the high number of children who have never received any vaccination as a major factor contributing to the state’s diphtheria burden.
The Director-General of the centre, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists in Kano, where he provided an update on the state’s response to the disease and the number of cases recorded over the years.
According to Adamu-Abbas, Kano recorded more than 39,000 suspected diphtheria cases between December 2, 2022 and August 26, 2026. More than 32,000 of the suspected cases were subsequently confirmed through laboratory, clinical and epidemiological confirmation.
He said the figures were released to help residents understand the scale of the disease and take appropriate preventive measures, particularly by ensuring that children receive routine vaccinations and that suspected cases are reported and treated promptly.
The KNCDC chief disclosed that more than 16,000 of the over 32,000 confirmed cases recorded during the period involved zero-dose children, referring to children who had never received any vaccination.
He added that more than 9,000 of the confirmed cases involved children who were fully vaccinated, while other affected children were either partially vaccinated or had no records indicating their vaccination status.
The figures, according to the director-general, demonstrate the need for urgent action to improve routine immunisation and strengthen engagement with communities, particularly in identifying children who have not received vaccines.
Adamu-Abbas described the situation as a crisis requiring sustained attention, stressing that improved vaccination coverage remained important in reducing the spread and impact of diphtheria across the state.
He further disclosed that more than 1,800 people died from the disease in Kano during the period under review.
Kano records decline in diphtheria burden
Despite the scale of the outbreak, the KNCDC director-general said Kano had recorded a significant reduction in its diphtheria burden following continued interventions by the state government and health authorities.
He recalled that between 2022 and early 2023, Kano accounted for more than 85 per cent of Nigeria’s diphtheria burden.
According to him, the situation has improved after the state government decentralised diphtheria treatment centres, taking treatment facilities to communities outside the state capital.
The decentralisation of treatment centres, he said, helped improve access to care for affected residents and contributed to the reduction in the overall disease burden recorded in the state.
Adamu-Abbas said the state had continued responding to diphtheria since the outbreak was first recorded in December 2022, with health authorities maintaining measures aimed at controlling transmission and improving access to treatment.
He, however, stressed that the progress recorded does not remove the need for continued vigilance, especially among communities with high numbers of unvaccinated children.
KNCDC clarifies Rano deaths
The director-general also addressed reports alleging that more than 50 children had died from diphtheria in Rano Local Government Area.
He dismissed the reports, saying the figures did not accurately reflect the number of cases and deaths recorded in the area.
According to him, Rano recorded 32 diphtheria cases and two deaths between January and August 26, 2026.
He disclosed that 94 per cent of the affected children had no history of vaccination, while 91 per cent of the patients reported late for treatment.
The figures, he said, further demonstrated the importance of routine immunisation and early presentation at health facilities when symptoms of diphtheria appear.
Adamu-Abbas explained that seven of the patients were referred to an isolation centre because they developed complications, while 25 others were treated at the diphtheria treatment centre.
“Seven of the patients were referred to an isolation centre because of complications, while 25 were treated at the diphtheria treatment centre,” he said.
Centre warns against traditional practices
The KNCDC chief also warned families and caregivers against traditional practices that could worsen the condition of patients suffering from diphtheria.
He specifically cautioned against attempts to remove the membrane that forms in the throat of diphtheria patients.
According to him, such practices could worsen the condition and put affected patients at greater risk.
The centre has therefore engaged traditional healers and barbers in affected communities as part of efforts to improve early identification and referral of suspected diphtheria cases.
Adamu-Abbas said the engagement was aimed at encouraging people who come into contact with potentially affected individuals to direct suspected cases to appropriate health facilities rather than relying on practices that could delay proper medical treatment.
He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive their routine vaccinations as required.
He also advised them to seek medical attention immediately whenever children develop symptoms associated with diphtheria.
Diphtheria cases must be reported
Adamu-Abbas reminded residents that diphtheria is a reportable disease and that suspected cases must be reported within 24 hours.
He said such reports should be made to the Local Government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, who will escalate the information to the state level for appropriate action.
Prompt reporting, according to the centre, is necessary to enable health authorities to respond quickly to suspected cases and limit the possibility of further transmission within communities.
The director-general also called for greater cooperation between health authorities, traditional institutions, communities and the media.
He said stronger collaboration among these groups would help authorities identify zero-dose children, improve vaccination coverage and strengthen the state’s response to diphtheria.
The call is particularly important given the large number of confirmed cases involving children who had never received vaccination during the period covered by the KNCDC figures.
Focus shifts to immunisation and early treatment
The figures released by the KNCDC show that Kano continues to face a significant diphtheria challenge despite the reduction recorded since the disease emerged in the state in December 2022.
With more than 32,000 confirmed cases recorded from more than 39,000 suspected cases and over 1,800 deaths reported during the period, the health authorities are focusing on prevention, early detection and access to treatment.
The high number of zero-dose children remains a major concern, with more than 16,000 of the confirmed cases involving children who had never received vaccination.
At the same time, the more than 9,000 confirmed cases involving fully vaccinated children show that the disease has also affected children with vaccination records, while some other cases involved partially vaccinated children or children whose vaccination status could not be established.
Adamu-Abbas therefore urged parents and caregivers to prioritise routine immunisation and ensure that children are taken to health facilities promptly when symptoms occur.
He also stressed the importance of community participation, particularly in identifying children who have never been vaccinated and ensuring that suspected cases are referred quickly for professional medical attention.
For Kano authorities, sustaining the reduction in diphtheria will require continued cooperation between government health agencies, communities, traditional institutions and the media.
The KNCDC said such collaboration would be critical to closing immunisation gaps, identifying zero-dose children and preventing further deaths from the disease.
Zero-dose children driving Kano’s diphtheria burden — KNCDC
