Diphtheria response intensifies in Zamfara and Sokoto states

Health authorities in Northwest Nigeria are responding to diphtheria concerns in Zamfara and Sokoto states. In Zamfara, the state government has received vaccines and is launching a vaccination exercise to combat the disease. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Maradun, noted that eleven local government areas have reported cases, primarily among children who were either unvaccinated or under-immunized.

The Z-TRACE project, a collaboration between the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development and the Zamfara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, aims to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children across seven local government areas. Traditional leaders have been called upon to assist in community sensitization and mobilization for the upcoming vaccination drive.

In neighboring Sokoto, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has issued a vigilance directive to all schools. Following reports of diphtheria in nearby states, school principals have been instructed to monitor students and staff for symptoms such as sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and difficulty breathing. The ministry has advised immediate reporting of suspected cases to facilities including Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital and the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Sokoto.