Kano sets up committee to tackle diphtheria outbreak

Kano State has created a special committee to strengthen its response to diphtheria, a highly contagious disease that the state’s health commissioner said has remained a public health concern since December 2022.

Commissioner of Health Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf inaugurated the committee on Friday. He said it would provide a stronger and more coordinated response and help prevent the disease from spreading further across the state.

The committee is expected to improve the early reporting of suspected cases, strengthen surveillance, register cases properly, expand vaccination in areas with low coverage, and ensure effective follow-up and referral of suspected patients for treatment.

Yusuf identified vaccination and early medical attention as key measures. He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that every eligible child receives the required vaccinations and to take anyone suspected of having diphtheria to the nearest health facility immediately.

The committee includes representatives from the state government, local government councils and emirate councils. Its chairman, Prof Muhammad Adamu Abbas, director-general of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, vaccination and response activities across the state.

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The committee was established to ensure a stronger and coordinated response to the disease and to prevent its further spread across the state.