Kaduna State in Northwest Nigeria is notorious for banditry and kidnapping activities
By HARUNA AHMED, Kaduna –
A suspected diphtheria outbreak has claimed the lives of three children in Zaria, Kaduna State, with six others infected.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Bello Jamoh, the outbreak has persisted for the past 10 months, since October 2024.
Jamoh said the Kaduna State Ministry of Health is leading the response to the disease outbreak, with support from relevant partners and stakeholders.
“A team of experts will be deployed to strengthen efforts in tackling the spread and providing medical support,” he added.
Malam Bashir-Magaji Basharata, a resident of Kwarbai, Zaria, who lost his daughter to the disease, expressed concern over the spread of the outbreak.
“The disease is spreading fast across the city,” he said, adding that his daughter developed a swollen neck and difficulty breathing and speaking before passing away.
Basharata also reported that four children showing diphtheria symptoms were admitted at Kakaki Primary Health Care Clinic near Kwarbai.
Basharata expressed worry over reports that no diphtheria vaccines were available across Kaduna State.
He said the visiting medical team claimed they sourced the vaccines from neighboring Niger. The Kaduna State government has assured that efforts are being made to contain the outbreak and provide medical support to those affected .
