Diphtheria Claims 50 Children in Kano Outbreak

ValidViewNetwork can report that at least 50 children have been killed and several others hospitalized in an outbreak of diphtheria in Kano State, the state legislature said Tuesday.

The Kano State House of Assembly called on the government to invoke the state’s Health Protection Law to contain the outbreak and directed its committee on health to engage relevant authorities on the public health issue affecting several local government areas.

Worst-Hit Communities

ValidViewNetwork has learned that the outbreak is particularly severe in Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura communities, where most of the deaths were reported.

The disease has spread to communities across six local government areas; Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji and Kiru.Ibrahim Muhammad, a state lawmaker representing Rano Constituency, moved the motion during plenary on Tuesday.

He said limited emergency measures had been taken so far, including the provision of medication and deployment of health workers, but more needed to be done to contain the disease.

Other Lawmakers Speak

ValidViewNetwork understands that the member representing Kiru Constituency, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, said an APC youth leader in Kiru reportedly lost two children to the disease in one day.

Another lawmaker, Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, urged the government to intensify vaccination and other preventive measures, warning that diphtheria is highly contagious and could spread rapidly to neighbouring communities.

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National Context

ValidViewNetwork can report that according to a 2025 report by the World Health Organization, at least 884 diphtheria-related deaths were reported in an outbreak that affected about 240 local government areas across 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states.

ValidViewNetwork understands that in Nigeria, more than 2 million children are under-immunized, including those with zero-doses, highlighting the high risk of further spread.

What Happens Next

ValidViewNetwork understands that the House has directed its Committee on Health to engage with the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the law and the provision of emergency relief to affected communities.

The Health Protection Law empowers the government to provide emergency relief and free healthcare, as well as restrict movement and isolate affected areas where necessary during outbreaks of infectious diseases.