‘How Kano family loses five children to diphtheria’

By Bashir Bello

The Kano government has explained how five children from the same family died from diphtheria infection in Danbare Ward, Layin Dutse, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

The Director-General of Kano Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Adamu-Abbas confirmed the deaths based on the case definition and verbal autopsy.

He attributed the death of the children to late presentation of the case to the health facility, and lack of immunization.

He said the ages of the deceased children range between one year to 13 years.

The KNCDC boss described the report of five child deaths in one household as a serious signal requiring continuous vigilance

“The investigation confirmed a cluster of six children linked to one family. Tragically, five of the six children died due to late presentation.

“The sixth child, Ummahabila Ibrahim, four years, was admitted on Oct. 1, 2026, with mild diphtheria and discharged on Oct. 4, 2026. A follow-up on Oct. 12, 2026, confirmed she is completely fine and healthy.

“Clinical presentations included fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, neck swelling, nasal bleeding/regurgitation, and white patches on the tonsils (pseudomembrane).

According to him, assessments included severe diphtheria, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neuropathy, and risk of upper airway obstruction.

“Epidemiological Findings showed three of the five deceased children were zero-dose (unvaccinated).

“The mother reported that two children had been immunised, but there was no evidence of Routine Immunization (RI) cards, as they were reportedly lost during relocation,”.

The DG appealed to caregivers to visit the nearest primary healthcare facility for missed doses, report of unusual illnesses or visit the nearest LGA Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO).

He urged the public not to delay or rely on self-medication, adding that diphtheria is a severe, vaccine-preventable disease spread through respiratory droplets and close contact.

“It can cause sore throat, fever, neck swelling, and difficulty breathing. Multiple child deaths in one household represent a serious public health signal.

“The report of five child deaths in one household is a serious signal requiring continuous vigilance,” he said.

The KNCDC boss urged all residents to prioritise routine immunisation, seek care early, and support public health response efforts in order to prevent diphtheria deaths and reduce outbreaks in Kano State.

(NAN)