The Kano State Government has constituted a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response following reported cases and deaths in some Local Government Areas.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Nabilusi Ahmad, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Health, the outbreak has particularly affected Rano Local Government Area.
Ahmad said the committee would strengthen and coordinate ongoing response efforts while conducting a comprehensive assessment of the outbreak.
It would also implement immediate measures to prevent further spread of diphtheria to neighbouring Local Government Areas.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, Director-General, Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC).
Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim, Director-General, State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), is a member of the committee.
Other members include Dr Mansur M. Nagoda, Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, and Dr Tijjani Habibu, Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB.
Others are Dr Ibrahim Aliyu Umar, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, and Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu, State Epidemiologist, KNCDC.
Representatives of the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils are also members, while Hussaini Rufai, KNCDC Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, serves as secretary.
The spokesperson said the committee had been mandated to investigate reported diphtheria cases and deaths across affected Local Government Areas.
It would strengthen disease surveillance systems and ensure daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the state.
Ahmad said the committee would establish a centralised data registry to track suspected and confirmed cases effectively and identify immunisation gaps.
It would achieve this through intensified community mobilisation and sensitisation, while ensuring timely availability of essential medical commodities at designated treatment centres.
Ahmad said the committee would collaborate with health personnel in affected Local Government Areas for a coordinated response.
He said it would facilitate rapid information sharing, early detection of cases and effective management of the outbreak, the statement said.
He urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with health authorities by promptly reporting suspected cases.
The spokesperson also appealed for support for ongoing public health interventions aimed at containing the outbreak.
“The state government remains committed to protecting public health and taking all necessary measures to contain the outbreak,” he said.
He added that efforts would continue to prevent further spread of the disease across the state.