Katsina battles diphtheria as cases spread to 29 LGAs

Katsina State is expanding its response to a diphtheria outbreak after suspected cases were reported in 29 Local Government Areas, with health authorities planning three more isolation centres and stepping up vaccination.

The state has so far vaccinated 67,670 people under a reactive immunisation campaign launched in high-risk communities, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Shaima’u Kabir Abba, said on Sunday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Katsina, Abba said the vaccination exercise began on August 25 and is currently focused on 15 wards in Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia LGAs.

Funtua has recorded the highest burden of suspected cases, followed by Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura, according to the agency.

The planned isolation centres are expected to ease pressure on existing health facilities and provide additional space for managing patients as the outbreak persists.

Abba said authorities were also supplying affected health facilities with medicines, vaccines and infection-prevention materials, while emergency response teams had been deployed to areas with reported cases.

She attributed some of the difficulties confronting the response to inadequate routine immunisation coverage and delays in bringing suspected patients to health facilities.

The agency is also concerned about possible cross-border transmission because of Katsina’s proximity to the Niger Republic.

Abba urged residents to take suspected symptoms seriously and seek medical attention without delay, particularly when high fever, severe sore throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, neck swelling, or a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose develops.

She warned residents against relying on home treatment for suspected diphtheria, stressing that prompt diagnosis and treatment could save lives and reduce further spread.

The state health authorities are coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and other partners.

The agency also appealed to parents, community leaders, religious leaders and the media to support vaccination and public awareness efforts as Katsina works to bring the outbreak under control.