The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has launched an investigation into the reported deaths of more than 50 children in Rano Local Government Area over suspected diphtheria infections.
The KNCDC Director-General, Professor Muhammad Abbas, disclosed this on Wednesday at a news conference at the centre’s headquarters in Kano, following concerns raised by the Kano State House of Assembly over the reported deaths.
Abbas said Kano had officially recorded 32 diphtheria cases in 2026, comprising 25 cases in August, six in July and one in May.
“Seven of the 32 patients were admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), the designated isolation and treatment centre for diphtheria cases in Kano,” he said.
According to the director-general, an active case search conducted on August 19, following the report of four cases on August 13, identified 10 additional cases and two deaths.
He explained that the wide gap between the 32 officially recorded cases and the reported deaths of more than 50 children could be linked to late reporting, noting that some patients were treated at home or by traditional healers rather than seeking medical attention at health facilities.
Abbas said the KNCDC had begun conducting verbal autopsies by speaking with relatives of some of the deceased to establish the actual causes of death and determine whether diphtheria was responsible or whether other illnesses were involved.
He urged parents and caregivers to take children showing possible symptoms of diphtheria to health facilities without delay, warning that late treatment could lead to serious complications or death.
The KNCDC chief also revealed that Kano had recorded more than 38,000 suspected diphtheria cases since the outbreak began in 2022, with more than 31,000 later confirmed.
He said over 55 per cent of the confirmed cases involved children who had never received any vaccination, while about 16 per cent were only partially immunised.
Abbas stressed the need for stronger vaccination efforts across the state to protect children and prevent further deaths. He also commended the Kano State Government and the State House of Assembly for their support, while urging residents to promptly report suspected cases of infectious diseases to primary, secondary or tertiary health facilities.
