Kano State establishes committee to address diphtheria outbreak

The committee, constituted on Saturday, will coordinate the state’s response, verify cases and deaths, and implement urgent measures to prevent transmission. Chaired by Professor Muhammad Abbas, Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, the committee includes Professor Salisu A. Ibrahim, Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, and representatives from various health departments and emirate councils. Its mandate includes conducting comprehensive outbreak investigations, strengthening disease surveillance, establishing a centralized data registry for cases, identifying immunization gaps, and ensuring the timely distribution of medical supplies.

The committee will collaborate with health personnel in affected communities to enhance information sharing, facilitate early detection, and improve patient management. The government has urged residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to report suspected cases, support vaccination efforts, and cooperate with health authorities, reaffirming its commitment to public health and containing the outbreak.