Katsina intensifies response as diphtheria hits 29 LGs

Katsina State is battling a widening diphtheria outbreak, with suspected cases now reported in 29 of the state’s local government areas, forcing authorities to intensify emergency vaccination, surveillance and isolation measures.

Briefing journalists on Sunday in Katsina, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shema’u Kabir, said Funtua had the highest burden, while Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura were also among the worst-affected areas.

“The government has responded with a reactive vaccination campaign targeting 15 high-risk wards in Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia.

“Within the first three days, 67,670 eligible people had received Td vaccines and 24,103 children had received Pentavalent vaccines, according to preliminary campaign figures.

“The government has secured another 650,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines for communities considered at high risk of infection.

“Three additional isolation centres have also been established to complement the NCDC-supported facility at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, while drugs, medical consumables and infection-control supplies are being deployed to affected areas.

“Yet the response faces significant obstacles, including suboptimal vaccination uptake, delayed hospital presentation and Katsina’s porous border with Niger Republic.

“The government is therefore combining vaccination with active case searches, contact tracing, chemoprophylaxis, enhanced surveillance and training of health workers,” she said.

She therefore warned parents against waiting until symptoms became severe before seeking care.

“Residents experiencing sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, neck swelling, or a thick greyish/whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose have been urged to report immediately to the nearest health facility,” Dr Kabir added.

The government also appealed to communities to cooperate with vaccination and surveillance teams, warning that early detection and treatment are critical to saving lives and limiting transmission.