Katsina and Kano states are intensifying efforts to contain diphtheria outbreaks, with the disease reported in 29 local government areas of Katsina State, while a recent investigation in Kano confirmed two diphtheria-related deaths in Rano Local Government Area.
In Katsina, the widening outbreak has prompted the state government to intensify emergency vaccination, surveillance and isolation measures, with Funtua recording the highest burden.
Briefing journalists in Katsina on Sunday, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shema’u Kabir, said Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura were also among the worst-affected areas.
She said the government had launched a reactive vaccination campaign targeting 15 high-risk wards in Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia.
According to her, 67,670 eligible people had received Td vaccines, while 24,103 children had received pentavalent vaccines within the first three days of the campaign.
