FG Takes Emergency Action Over Diphtheria Outbreak in Katsina, Kano

The Federal Government has activated an emergency task force to contain a diphtheria outbreak affecting children in parts of Katsina and Kano States.

This move follows a directive by the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to strengthen surveillance, close immunisation gaps and ensure affected children have timely access to treatment.

The multi-agency task force, led by the Nigeria centre for disease control and prevention, and the federal ministry of health, includes the national primary health care development agency, affected state governments, WHO, UNICEF and other health partners.

As part of immediate containment measures, the NPHCDA has deployed 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines to Katsina and Kano States for intensified immunisation of unvaccinated children in affected and at-risk communities.

The government is also working with the Katsina State government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts in Katsina, Daura and Funtua to bring care closer to affected communities.

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Emergency support, including diphtheria antitoxin, intravenous antibiotics, additional health personnel and personal protective equipment, will also be provided to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, the state’s principal referral centre.

The task force is expected to provide weekly updates on the outbreak and escalate any challenges requiring urgent government intervention.

Federal Government says it remains committed to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases and bringing the diphtheria outbreak under control through a coordinated and evidence-based response.