Kano Assembly Raises Alarm Over Diphtheria Outbreak, Calls For Urgent Government Action

The Kano State House of Assembly has called on Governor Abba Yusuf to urgently intensify efforts to contain a diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area, where more than 50 children have reportedly died.

The lawmakers made the call during Tuesday’s plenary after adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ibrahim Muhammad, representing Rano Constituency.

Muhammad said the outbreak was particularly severe in the Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura communities, despite earlier government measures including the deployment of health workers and provision of medication. He urged the state government to provide additional emergency support to prevent further deaths.

The outbreak has reportedly spread beyond Rano to parts of Kiru Local Government Area, including Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town and Yelwa. Lawmaker Usman Tasiu said a youth leader in Kiru reportedly lost two children to the disease within a single day.

The lawmakers called for the establishment of an emergency committee to coordinate the response across affected areas, including Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji and Kiru. They also urged the government to intensify vaccination and other preventive measures, warning that diphtheria could spread rapidly to neighbouring communities.

Majority Leader Lawan Husseini further called for the activation of the state’s health protection law, which provides for emergency healthcare measures, isolation of affected areas and restrictions on movement where necessary to control infectious diseases.

The Assembly unanimously adopted the motion and urged the state government to take immediate action to contain the outbreak and protect residents, particularly children, from further loss of life.