Kano Father Loses Five Children to Diphtheria in Eight Days
A father in Kano State, Nigeria, has lost five of his children to suspected diphtheria within eight days, highlighting the dangers of the vaccine-preventable disease affecting children in the state.
Ibrahim Yusuf, who lives in Danbare, Kano metropolis, said his children initially developed fever before their conditions worsened. They were first taken to Kabuga Primary Healthcare Centre and later referred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital for treatment.
According to Yusuf, two children died on the same Monday, while three others died over the following days.
The children were identified as Sadiq, 13; Aisha and Zainab, both seven; Umar, six; and Aliyu, one year and six months old.
The grieving father, who has 11 children, appealed to the government to strengthen efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.
A staff member of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control confirmed the five deaths to Daily Trust, adding that fatalities recorded at the hospital were increasing.
Kano has battled diphtheria since 2022, recording more than 38,000 suspected cases and over 31,000 confirmed infections, according to figures previously released by the state agency.
Health experts explain that diphtheria is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat. It spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected people.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, weakness, swollen neck glands and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can damage the heart and nerves and may lead to death.
Health officials urge parents to ensure their children receive routine vaccinations and seek urgent medical attention if symptoms develop. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and vaccination are crucial to protecting children and preventing further spread of the disease.
