In a heartbreaking account, Ibrahim Yusuf from the Danbare area of Kano has shared the devastating loss of five of his children to suspected diphtheria within a mere eight days. The outbreak has raised significant alarm in the state, with health officials urging residents to take preventive measures.

Yusuf's ordeal began last week when his children exhibited symptoms of fever. Initially seeking help at the Kabuga Primary Healthcare Centre, their condition deteriorated, leading to their referral to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), the designated facility for managing diphtheria cases. Tragically, two of his children died on the same day, just 40 minutes apart. "They told us it was diphtheria. They admitted them, but two of them died the same day," he recounted.

The situation worsened as three more of his children developed similar symptoms and were also admitted to the IDH. In a harrowing sequence of events, another child died on Tuesday night, followed by two more on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths in Yusuf's household to five. The deceased children were identified as Sadiq, 13; Aisha, seven; Zainab, seven; Umar, six; and Aliyu, one year and six months old.

Yusuf expressed his grief, stating, "They all died in quick succession." He further noted that the tragedy has left his family in a state of devastation, as he has a total of 11 children. The father also reported seeing numerous corpses being transported from the hospital, indicating the outbreak’s widespread impact. "Honestly, I saw many bodies being taken away. I cannot count them, but people are dying in the hospital almost every day," he said.

In light of this tragedy, Yusuf has called on the government to take urgent action to contain the outbreak. "We are calling on the government to stop this outbreak before it spreads further. Every day people are dying. Our plea is for them to act quickly," he urged.

In response to the outbreak, health officials have been seen administering diphtheria vaccinations in the area, with reports indicating that over 400 children have been vaccinated. However, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has faced scrutiny regarding the reported number of deaths. While a staff member confirmed the five deaths in Yusuf's family, there are claims from local lawmakers that at least 50 children have died in the Rano Constituency alone. Residents believe the actual figure may be higher, as many deaths occur at home without being reported to health authorities.

The KNCDC has disputed the higher figures, stating that only two deaths have been officially confirmed in the local government area. Since the outbreak began in 2022, Kano State has recorded over 38,000 suspected diphtheria cases, with more than 31,000 confirmed.

Dr. Aminu Mato Jitandutse from the Community Medicine Department at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital emphasized the seriousness of diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable bacterial infection. He noted that the infection primarily affects the nose and throat, spreading through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, and in severe cases, can lead to life-threatening complications.

Dr. Jitandutse highlighted the importance of routine childhood vaccinations and early treatment for suspected cases, urging the community to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing further spread of the disease. He advised regular handwashing and proper hygiene practices to mitigate transmission risks.