PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT; KNCDC-Led Rapid Response Team Visits, over Suspected Diphtheria Outbreak.
By Ayeeshat J Ahmad Kano edited by Chioma Bello
Kano state Center for Disease Control KNCDC lead team visit to Rano and Rurum Local Governments In response to a request from the Kano State House of Assembly to verify reports concerning increased in diphtheria cases in Rurum Ward, Rano Local Government Area.
The Director General, Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas direct the state rapid response team ,alongside LGAs Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers to the affected community for a comprehensive outbreak investigation and response.
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The team visited key health facilities, including the Rano Emirate Special Hospital, the Diphtheria and Communicable Disease Response Centre,
According to the Chief Medical Officer of Rano General Hospital, Dr. Muktar Muhd Sani, said the facility had not recorded any confirmed cases so far.
However the team further engaged the District Head of Rurum, Alhaji Ado Yusif, and the Ward Head of Tsohon Gari, Malam Amadu Haruna Katanga, alongside other traditional and community leaders.
During the Visit one face of the outbreak was identified,a 17-year-old Fatima Salihu. The young girl was found suffering from fever, catarrh, and a severe cough.
Immediately a physical examination by the team confirmed her as diphtheria infection Victim.
While answering questions from the health team In an emotional account, Fatima’s mother explained that her daughter had an immunization gap and did not receive the complete vaccination schedule during her early childhood.
Speaking to Pulse Time Nigeria during the assessment, the Director of Disease, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (DHEPR), Dr. Abdulwahab Kabir Sulaiman, explained the purpose of the visit.
“We are here to see firsthand how the treatment centres are running and to ensure everything is in place to stop the spread of this disease,” Dr. Sulaiman stated.
“If you or anyone in your family exhibits these signs, do not wait. Please go to the nearest hospital immediately,”
He outlined the key symptoms of diphtheria for the public to include sore throat, fever, difficulty in breathing, swollen neck , and a thick grey coating on the throat and tonsils.
He strongly cautioning against seeking help from traditional healers, which could worsen the illness or course death
The team also visited Makara Huta to condole with Malam Zaharaddin Ado, who lost four children to diphtheria in a previous outbreak, reassuring the community of the government’s commitment to preventing a recurrence.
The case of Fatima Salihu has highlighted the vital importance of complete childhood immunization in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria.
Health officials have directed affected communities to hospitals for proper treatment and vaccination while intensifying community sensitisation efforts.