Nigeria Deploys Task Force to Combat Diphtheria Outbreaks

Nigeria has mobilized an emergency multi-agency task force to confront rising diphtheria outbreaks in Kano and Katsina states. The federal government's swift action, directed by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, seeks to bolster disease surveillance, address critical immunization gaps, and expand access to essential treatments.

The deployment underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding children from vaccine-preventable diseases. "The federal government reaffirms its resolve to protect Nigerian children from vaccine preventable diseases and remains committed to a swift, coordinated and evidence based response to bring the outbreak under control," stated the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

This initiative comes in response to alarming reports of child fatalities in Kano's Rano Local Government Area. A lawmaker had previously raised concerns about the severe outbreak, prompting urgent calls for intervention. Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, presents symptoms like fever, sore throat, and breathing difficulties, with severe cases leading to heart and nerve damage.

The newly formed task force comprises key stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), affected state governments, and international partners like the WHO and UNICEF. Co-chaired by the NCDC Director General and the Director of Public Health, the committee will coordinate federal and state efforts, focusing on case investigation, surveillance strengthening, and community sensitization to contain the outbreak.

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The federal government reaffirms its resolve to protect Nigerian children from vaccine preventable diseases and remains committed to a swift, coordinated and evidence based response to bring the outbreak under control.