The Katsina State Government has intensified efforts to contain the ongoing diphtheria outbreak across the State, with 67,670 people already vaccinated as part of the ongoing response, while plans are underway to establish three additional isolation centres to strengthen case management and prevent further transmission.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA), Dr. Shaima’u Kabir Abba, disclosed this on Sunday, 30 August 2026, during a press briefing held at the Agency’s PHC Coordination Centre in Katsina.

Dr. Shaima’u said the State Government, through KSPHCA and the State Emergency Preparedness and Rapid Response Team, has continued to strengthen surveillance, vaccination, case detection, treatment and public awareness in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, WHO, the Federal Ministry of Health and other development partners.

She disclosed that, as of 28 August 2026, suspected diphtheria cases had been reported across 29 Local Government Areas, with Funtua recording the highest burden, followed by Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura.

According to her, a reactive vaccination exercise commenced on 25 August 2026, targeting 15 high-risk wards across Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia Local Government Areas. The intervention has so far resulted in the vaccination of 67,670 persons, as the State intensifies efforts to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the risk of further transmission.

The Acting Executive Secretary further disclosed that the State Government is set to establish three additional isolation centres to improve the capacity of the health system to manage suspected and confirmed cases. Essential medicines, vaccines and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) commodities are also being distributed to health facilities in high-risk areas, while emergency response teams have been deployed to support the intervention.

She identified low routine immunisation uptake, late presentation of suspected cases at health facilities and the risk of cross-border transmission, particularly in communities bordering the Niger Republic, as some of the major challenges confronting the response.

Dr. Shaima’u therefore urged parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, community organisations and the media to support the response by ensuring that eligible children receive routine and recommended vaccinations, while encouraging residents to promptly seek medical attention when symptoms suggestive of diphtheria are observed.

Members of the public were advised to immediately report to the nearest health facility if they develop symptoms such as high fever, severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling of the neck, or a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose.

The Agency cautioned residents against attempting home treatment for suspected diphtheria, stressing that early presentation at a health facility and appropriate medical intervention can save lives and help prevent further transmission.

KSPHCA appreciated the continued support of the Katsina State Government, development partners, health workers, community leaders and the media, and reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to strengthen the response and bring the outbreak under control.

ASA