The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has clarified reports alleging the death of over 50 children in Rano Local Government Area, stating that official surveillance records do not currently support the figure.
The Director-General of the KNCDC, Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, made the clarification while responding to concerns raised at the Kano State House of Assembly over reported deaths of children in Rano.
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He said that the agency has recorded 32 diphtheria cases in Rano this year, 25 in August, six in July, and one in May.
Only seven patients required referral to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Kano.
A field team deployed to Rano on August 19 identified additional suspected cases and confirmed two deaths.
The agency is conducting verbal autopsies to determine if all reported deaths stem from diphtheria or other underlying illnesses.
:Prof. Abbas highlighted that delayed hospital visits and home-management of severe symptoms contribute significantly to mortality. Furthermore, over 55% of the state’s 31,000+ confirmed diphtheria cases since 2022 occurred in “zero-dose” children who never received vaccines.
Diphtheria: Cases have been recorded across 27 LGAs as Kano State has requested additional vaccine stocks from the Federal Government while deploying reactive vaccination teams to affected communities and schools.
Meanwhile the KNCDC is tracking 227 suspected cholera cases, with six laboratory-confirmed cases currently active.
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The KNCDC urges parents to present symptomatic children to health facilities immediately, emphasizing that early intervention saves lives.
While the Investigations in Rano LGA remain active as health officials continue gathering field data.