Zamfara State has recorded 44 deaths from a diphtheria outbreak, prompting authorities to extend school resumption by two weeks.
The State Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Haske, disclosed the figures in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gusau on Monday. Haske said health authorities had recorded 367 clinically suspected cases. More than 320 patients have been treated and discharged.
Laboratory tests on samples from suspected patients confirmed the presence of the organism that causes diphtheria. The samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for further confirmation. Following the confirmation, the state government declared the outbreak on the directive of Governor Dauda Lawal. It also activated the Incident Management System to coordinate the response.
Immediate Response
Rapid response teams were deployed across the state’s 14 local government areas. General hospitals also established isolation centres for diphtheria patients. Gusau Local Government Area, which recorded the highest number of cases, has about four treatment centres. Patients who still require medication after discharge are being provided with oral treatment for use at home.
Haske attributed the continued spread partly to active community transmission. He said children between six and 10 years were among those most affected. The health ministry therefore advised the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on measures to limit transmission in schools.
The advice led to the decision to delay school resumption by another two weeks. Health officials will use the period to intensify case management, surveillance, community engagement and health education. Although cases are still increasing, Haske said the number of deaths has reduced and many patients are responding positively to treatment.
He urged residents to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms associated with diphtheria. He also called for cooperation with health officials and encouraged residents to report suspected cases through designated channels.
The Education Commissioner, Abdulmalik Gajam, separately confirmed the two-week extension on Monday. He said the measure was intended to protect pupils, students, teachers and the wider school community during the outbreak.
