Diphtheria: Katsina Vaccinates 67,670, Plans Three Isolation Centres

The Katsina State Government has vaccinated 67,670 people against diphtheria as health authorities intensify efforts to contain an outbreak that has spread to 29 Local Government Areas.

The state is also preparing to establish three additional isolation centres to increase its capacity to treat suspected and confirmed cases.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Shaima’u Kabir Abba, disclosed this on Sunday during a briefing at the agency’s Primary Healthcare Coordination Centre in Katsina.

She said the outbreak response had been strengthened through increased surveillance, vaccination, case detection and treatment, with support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF, WHO, Federal Ministry of Health and other partners.

According to her, Funtua has recorded the highest number of suspected cases, followed by Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura.

The state began a reactive vaccination campaign on August 25 in 15 high-risk wards across Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia LGAs.

The exercise had reached 67,670 people as of August 28, as authorities seek to limit transmission among vulnerable communities.

Abba said the planned isolation centres would complement existing facilities, while essential medicines, vaccines and infection-prevention supplies were being moved to health facilities in areas considered most at risk.

Emergency response teams have also been deployed to support surveillance and treatment activities.

The health agency identified poor uptake of routine immunisation, delays in seeking treatment and the possibility of cross-border transmission as major challenges confronting the response.

Communities close to the Niger Republic border were described as particularly vulnerable because of the possibility of cases moving across the border.

Abba urged parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children receive routine and recommended vaccines, while calling on traditional and religious leaders to support awareness efforts.

Residents were also advised to seek immediate medical attention when symptoms such as high fever, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, neck swelling or a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose occur.

The agency warned against treating suspected diphtheria at home, stressing that early medical intervention could significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of transmission.

The state government is working with health workers, community leaders, development partners and other stakeholders as the response continues.