The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has identified children who have never received any vaccination as a major factor contributing to the state’s diphtheria burden.
The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, disclosed this on Saturday in Kano while briefing journalists on the state’s diphtheria situation.
He said Kano recorded more than 39,000 suspected diphtheria cases between December 2, 2022, and August 26, 2026, with over 32,000 cases confirmed through laboratory, clinical and epidemiological assessments.
According to him, more than 16,000 of the confirmed cases involved zero-dose children, while over 9,000 cases were recorded among fully vaccinated individuals. Others were either partially vaccinated or had no documented vaccination status.
Adamu-Abbas described the situation as a crisis requiring urgent intervention, particularly through stronger routine immunisation and sustained engagement with communities.
He said more than 1,800 people had died from diphtheria in the state within the period under review.
The KNCDC chief explained that suspected diphtheria cases were reportable and should be notified within 24 hours to the Local Government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for onward escalation.
He, however, said Kano had recorded a significant decline in the disease burden following measures implemented by the state government.
He recalled that Kano accounted for more than 85 per cent of Nigeria’s diphtheria burden between 2022 and early 2023.
According to him, the state’s response has included the establishment and decentralisation of treatment centres in Rano, Bichi, Danbatta, Wudil, Tudun Wada and other locations.
A total of 26 facilities, comprising secondary and primary healthcare centres, are involved in the response, he said.
Adamu-Abbas attributed part of the improvement to the decentralisation of treatment services to communities outside Kano metropolis, which he said had improved access to care.
He nevertheless stressed the need to close immunisation gaps and ensure that children who have not received routine vaccines are reached as part of efforts to prevent further outbreaks.
