The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KSCDC) has confirmed 12 cases of diphtheria at First Lady College, Mariri, a boarding school in Kano State.
The agency’s Director-General, Muhammad Abbas, disclosed this to journalists in Kano on Friday, saying the centre received information about the suspected outbreak on Wednesday.
Abbas said a response team was immediately dispatched to the school to investigate the situation and prevent further transmission.
According to him, 313 suspected cases were tested, with 12 confirmed following clinical examinations and active case searches conducted within the school.
He added that medication had been administered to suspected contacts, while students were educated on the symptoms and prevention of the disease.
However, the KSCDC chief raised concerns over the shortage of vaccines, warning that the school needed an extensive immunisation exercise to protect its more than 2,000 students.
“There is a need for massive vaccination in the school, which we presently do not have. We have to ask for more vaccines to administer to the students,” he said.
Meanwhile, the school principal, Atine Muhammad, said the situation came to light after three students who returned from their homes exhibited symptoms suspected to be linked to diphtheria.
She explained that the school nurse initially attended to the students before they were referred to a hospital for further medical assessment.
The principal said the affected students were subsequently released to their parents, who were instructed to take them to the Infectious Diseases Hospital for appropriate treatment.
She added that parents had also been directed to present medical reports from certified doctors confirming their children’s fitness before they would be allowed to resume classes.