Kano State has recorded 32 cases of diphtheria in 2026, as health authorities move to clarify reports concerning deaths linked to the disease in the state.
The development comes amid renewed attention to diphtheria in Kano, which has remained one of the states worst affected by Nigeria’s prolonged outbreak.
Health officials have stressed the need for accurate information on the current situation, particularly following reports of fatalities attributed to the disease.
The clarification is coming against the backdrop of significant interventions by the Kano State Government and health partners to contain diphtheria through vaccination, surveillance, treatment and public awareness.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which recently concluded its emergency diphtheria response in Kano, said more than 835,000 children were vaccinated during two rounds of mass immunisation conducted in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health.
According to MSF, the number of diphtheria cases declined considerably in recent months following the vaccination campaigns, although the disease remains a serious threat, particularly to children who are unvaccinated or inadequately immunised.
The organisation said Kano had recorded more than 31,900 suspected cases and over 1,260 deaths between March 2022 and March 22, 2026, illustrating the scale of the outbreak over the past several years.
Health authorities have therefore continued to urge parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive the recommended vaccines and that suspected cases are promptly taken to health facilities for diagnosis and treatment.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory complications and death if not treated promptly.
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