The Kano State Government has dismissed reports that a diphtheria outbreak claimed the lives of 50 children in Rano Local Government Area.
The Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, described the claim as unverified and misleading, urging the public to rely on official health information.
According to the KNCDC, two deaths linked to diphtheria were recorded in Rano in 2026, while 29 deaths have been documented cumulatively between July 2023 and August 2026.
The agency said 32 diphtheria cases were recorded in the area, with 25 patients treated at the Diphtheria Treatment Centre at Rano General Hospital and seven others at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Kano.
Abbas revealed that 94 per cent of those affected had not been vaccinated, while 91 per cent reported late for treatment. He stressed the importance of vaccination, early detection and prompt medical attention in preventing severe outcomes.
The KNCDC said it had deployed surveillance teams to communities where the alleged deaths were reported but could not verify the claim. It urged residents to promptly report suspected cases to health authorities and avoid spreading unverified information.
