Over 50 children killed in Kano diphtheria outbreak - Lawmakers

The Kano State House of Assembly has issued an urgent appeal to Governor Abba Yusuf to address a severe diphtheria outbreak that has tragically resulted in the deaths of over 50 children in the Rano Local Government Area. The lawmakers highlighted the critical situation during a plenary session, emphasizing the need for immediate government intervention.

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Although emergency measures had been taken, including the purchase of medication and deployment of health workers to the affected communities, further intervention is needed to contain the outbreak.

Ibrahim Muhammad, the member representing Rano Constituency, moved a motion of urgent public importance, detailing that the outbreak is especially concentrated in the Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura communities. Despite existing emergency measures, including the procurement of medication and deployment of health workers, Muhammad stressed that further intervention is crucial to curb the spread of the disease.

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We want to inform the Governor and the Commissioner for Health to send further emergency aid to the region because the disease has spread heavily in that area.

Concerns about the outbreak's expansion were voiced by other members. Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, noted that the disease has spread beyond Rano to communities within Kiru, such as Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town, and Yelwa. Tasiu reported that an APC youth leader in Kiru town lost two children to the illness in a single day, underscoring the severity and rapid progression of the outbreak.

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Tasiu disclosed that an APC youth leader in Kiru town lost two children to the disease within one day.

In response, the House passed a motion directing its Committee on Health to collaborate with the Ministry of Health. Their mandate includes implementing the state's Health Protection Law, providing emergency relief, and ensuring preventive measures like intensified vaccination campaigns are executed. Lawmakers also called for the establishment of an emergency committee to manage the crisis across affected local government areas, including Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji, and Kiru. The contagious nature of diphtheria and its potential to spread to neighboring communities were highlighted as significant risks requiring stringent containment efforts.

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Lawmakers urged the government to intensify vaccination and other preventive measures, warning that diphtheria was contagious and could spread rapidly to neighbouring communities.