Kano State Government Initiates Contact Tracing as Diphtheria Outbreak Hospitalizes 100 Patients with Over 2,000 Discharged

Kano State Government has taken significant steps to address the diphtheria outbreak that has affected the state. As of Sunday, over 100 patients are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while more than 2,000 others have already been treated and discharged. Dr. Abdullahi Karaunmata, the state Epidemiologist, revealed that contact tracing teams have been mobilized to track down individuals affected by the outbreak, particularly in high-burdened Local Government Areas.

The diphtheria cases have been reported in 31 out of the 44 Local Government Areas in Kano State. To address the situation, the government has established two treatment centers dedicated to handling patients infected with diphtheria. The resurgence of this disease may be partly attributed to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to lockdowns and disrupted routine immunization efforts, leaving many children unvaccinated. Additionally, some parents or caregivers hesitated to take their children for immunization, further contributing to the problem.

Kano State was identified among the states with the highest number of confirmed diphtheria cases in a recent report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). In response to the outbreak, the state government set up a technical working group on diphtheria, consisting of experts from various backgrounds and supported by development partners. The committee is responsible for controlling and managing the outbreak, and daily meetings have been held to coordinate efforts.

To handle the increasing number of cases, a well-equipped diphtheria treatment center has been established at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. This center is staffed with well-trained healthcare professionals, with support from organizations like MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) and other partners. Furthermore, the government has opened a new treatment center within the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) to ensure thorough screening of suspected cases and prompt administration of required treatments.

The state Epidemiologist clarified that diphtheria has been present for a long time, but successful immunization efforts have protected children against it, notably with the PENTA vaccine. However, the current resurgence of diphtheria is likely linked to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted vaccination efforts and left many children vulnerable to the disease due to missed immunizations.

The government is actively working to contain the outbreak through contact tracing, vaccination drives, and increased awareness to prevent further spread of the disease.