More than 50 children have reportedly died following a diphtheria outbreak in parts of Kano State, with the State House of Assembly calling for urgent measures to prevent further loss of lives.
The alarm was raised during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers declared the outbreak a matter of urgent public concern. They warned that infections were spreading beyond the communities initially affected and could threaten more local government areas.
Ibrahim Muhammad, representing Rano Constituency, identified Ridin and Sabuwar Qaura as among the worst-hit communities. He said the outbreak had left several families mourning the deaths of their children and called for a stronger response from the state government.
Muhammad said health authorities had begun responding to the situation but argued that the measures taken so far were not sufficient. He urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Ministry of Health to provide more medical personnel, medicines and emergency support in affected communities.
Concerns over the spread increased after Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, reported new infections in Kwana Dangora, Dangora and Yelwa. He also told the House that two siblings from the same family had died on the same day.
Lawmakers proposed a coordinated emergency response covering surveillance, treatment, vaccination and public awareness in Rano, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure and Bebeji. Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, stressed the need for an aggressive immunisation campaign, warning that diphtheria can spread rapidly where vaccination coverage is low.
The House unanimously adopted the resolution and directed its Committee on Health to work with the Ministry of Health to implement emergency measures immediately. The lawmakers also called for closer monitoring of the affected communities to identify and respond to new infections quickly.
Majority Leader Lawan Husseini urged the state government to activate the Kano State Health Protection Law. He said the law provides for free emergency healthcare and other extraordinary measures that can be used during infectious disease outbreaks.
