Kano Confirms Diphtheria Deaths of Five Children in One Family

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has confirmed that five children from the same family died of diphtheria in Danbare Ward, Layin Dutse, in Kumbotso Local Government Area.

 

The centre's Director-General, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, confirmed the deaths in a statement on Tuesday.

 

Adamu-Abbas said the deaths were confirmed on the basis of the case definition and verbal autopsy. He attributed them to the late presentation of the children at a health facility and to zero-dose status, meaning children who had received no vaccine doses.

 

According to him, the children who died were aged between one and 13 years.

 

"The investigation confirmed a cluster of six children linked to one family. Tragically, five of the six children died due to late presentation," Adamu-Abbas said.

 

He said the sixth child, a four-year-old girl, 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," he said.

 

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

 

He said the clinical assessments included severe diphtheria, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, neuropathy and the risk of upper airway obstruction.

 

"Epidemiological Findings showed three of the five deceased children were zero-dose (unvaccinated)," he said.

 

"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."

 

Adamu-Abbas urged caregivers to visit the nearest primary healthcare facility for any missed doses, to report unusual illnesses, or to contact the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) in their local government area.

 

He cautioned residents against delaying treatment or resorting to self-medication, describing diphtheria as 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 chief called on 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.