The Kano State Centre for Disease Control has linked the state’s diphtheria burden to the high number of zero-dose children who have never received any vaccination.
The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Saturday in Kano. He said Kano recorded more than 39,000 suspected diphtheria cases between December 2, 2022 and August 26, 2026, out of which over 32,000 were confirmed positive through laboratory, clinical and epidemiological confirmation.
He said more than 16,000 out of over 32,000 confirmed diphtheria cases recorded in the state during the period were zero-dose children. More than 9,000 of the confirmed cases were fully vaccinated, while others were either partially vaccinated or had no records of their vaccination status. More than 1,800 people died from the disease within the period.
Adamu-Abbas said the figures were made public to enable residents to understand the magnitude of the disease and take necessary preventive measures. He described the situation as a crisis that required urgent attention, particularly through improved routine immunisation and stronger community engagement.
He said Kano had continued to respond to diphtheria since the outbreak was first recorded in December 2022, adding that the state had recorded a significant reduction in the disease burden. He recalled that between 2022 and early 2023, Kano accounted for more than 85 percent of Nigeria’s diphtheria burden.
Adamu-Abbas said treatment centres had been established in Rano, Bichi, Danbatta, Wudil and Tudun Wada, among other locations, with 26 facilities comprising secondary and primary healthcare centres. He said Kano had recorded a significant reduction in the diphtheria burden after the state government decentralised treatment centres to communities outside the state capital.
He also dismissed reports that over 50 children died in Rano Local Government Area, saying only 32 diphtheria cases were recorded with two deaths between January and August 26, 2026, with 94 percent of the affected children having no history of vaccination, while 91 percent of them reported late.
The DG also warned against traditional practices such as removing the membrane formed in the throat of diphtheria patients, saying such practices could worsen the condition. He said the centre had engaged traditional healers and barbers in affected communities to encourage them to refer suspected cases to health facilities.
He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children received routine vaccinations and to promptly seek medical attention whenever symptoms of diphtheria were observed. Adamu-Abbas also called for stronger collaboration among health authorities, traditional institutions, communities and the media to identify zero-dose children and improve immunisation coverage in the state.
