FG Activates Emergency Task Force to Contain Diphtheria Outbreak in Kano, Katsina
The Federal Government has activated an emergency multi-agency task force to contain an outbreak of diphtheria among children in parts of Kano and Katsina States, with immediate measures being implemented to strengthen surveillance, close immunisation gaps and expand access to treatment.
The directive was issued by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, as part of ongoing efforts to protect Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), affected state governments and international health partners, has constituted the task force to coordinate the response.
The task force will be co-chaired by the Director-General of NCDC and the Director of Public Health, with representatives from NPHCDA, the Commissioners for Health of Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto States, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Katsina State. The Ministry’s Chief Epidemiologist will serve as Secretary.
500,000 Vaccine Doses Deployed
As part of the immediate response, NPHCDA has deployed 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines to Katsina and Kano States for intensified immunisation campaigns targeting unvaccinated children in affected and high-risk communities.
The task force has also been directed to conduct comprehensive outbreak investigations, strengthen disease surveillance and intensify community sensitisation to address gaps in population immunity.
Treatment Centres to Be Expanded
To improve access to timely treatment, the Federal Government will work with the Katsina State Government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura and Funtua.
The move is aimed at bringing treatment closer to affected communities and ensuring that suspected cases receive early medical attention.
The government is also mobilising emergency support for the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, which serves as a major referral centre for the state and neighbouring areas.
The support will include Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), intravenous antibiotics, additional clinical personnel and personal protective equipment (PPE) to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage severe cases and protect healthcare workers.
The task force is expected to provide weekly updates to the Coordinating Minister on the progress of the response, emerging challenges and additional requirements, with identified bottlenecks to be escalated for immediate resolution.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to a swift, coordinated and evidence-based response, urging intensified collaboration among federal and state authorities, health workers, development partners and communities to bring the outbreak under control and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
FG Activates Emergency Task Force to Contain Diphtheria Outbreak in Kano, Katsina