Diphtheria Outbreak Kills 44 in Zamfara as Schools Delay Resumption

(Zamfara Map. Photo by TVC News)

The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has reported 44 d£aths from a diphtheria outbreak across parts of the state.

The ministry has recorded 367 suspected cases so far, with more than 320 patients successfully treated and discharged.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the diphtheria-causing organism in samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for verification.

Following confirmation of the outbreak, Governor Dauda Lawal declared it and activated emergency response systems.

The state and local government response teams have been working to manage cases across all 14 local government areas, with general hospitals setting up isolation centres for diphtheria patients.

Gusau Local Government Area, which has the most cases, has about four treatment centres operating.

The director of public health said children aged six to ten are among those most affected.

While the number of d£aths has reduced and many patients are responding well to treatment, the disease continues to spread through active community transmission.

Because of the outbreak, the Ministry of Education has extended school resumption by two weeks.

The new tentative resumption date is September 28, pending further advice from health authorities.

chools have been directed to clean and decontaminate their premises and ensure adequate handwashing facilities are available during the break.

The ministry urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they show symptoms of diphtheria and to cooperate with health officials reporting suspected cases.