Kano Diphtheria: Investigation Confirms Two Deaths, Says Reported 50 Mortalities Unsubstantiated

A field investigation by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KNCDC) has established that two deaths in Rurum Ward, Rano Local Government Area (LGA), were considered diphtheria-related, contrary to a media and social media report alleging that the disease had killed about 50 people in the area.

The investigation, conducted on Aug. 28 by the Kano State Rapid Response Team (RRT) in collaboration with the Rano LGA RRT, identified four deaths in Rurum Ward. Two of the deaths were considered diphtheria-related based on available clinical and epidemiological information, while the other two were reportedly associated with suspected severe malaria and typhoid fever.

The investigation followed a public health signal identified on Aug. 25 after reports circulated in media houses and on social media alleging that approximately 50 deaths had occurred from diphtheria in Rurum Ward. The KNCDC subsequently directed its State RRT to verify the report and determine the actual magnitude of the situation.

The investigation report, signed by the Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the reported 50 deaths were not substantiated during field verification and should therefore continue to be regarded as an unverified media/social media signal.

According to the report, the investigation covered Tsohon Gari, Sokkotawa Community, Sabon Gari A and Sabuwar Kaura. The response team engaged the Emir of Rano Emirate Council, the District Head and Village Head of Rurum, community leaders and residents as part of efforts to verify the reports, conduct active case searches and strengthen disease surveillance.

In Tsohon Gari, the team identified one death and seven cases compatible with diphtheria. The deceased, identified as Habiba Hamza, reportedly died at home after an illness attributed by the family to suspected severe malaria and typhoid fever. The investigators said the available information did not support classifying the death as diphtheria-related.

The seven compatible cases identified in Tsohon Gari involved both males and females. They were line-listed and provided with medication, although the report recommended further clinical assessment and laboratory investigation where indicated.
In Sabuwar Kaura, investigators identified two reported deaths and two children with relevant illness histories. One of the deceased, three-and-a-half-year-old Umar Adam, reportedly had no known immunisation history and died at home approximately five days after the onset of illness. The verbal autopsy indicated that his clinical and epidemiological history was consistent with a diphtheria-related death, subject to final classification based on available evidence.

The second death in Sabuwar Kaura was reportedly attributed by the family and community to suspected severe malaria and typhoid fever. The investigation report said the information available was incomplete and, on that basis, the death was not considered diphtheria-related.
The investigation also documented the cases of two children in Sabuwar Kaura. Fatima Nasiru reportedly recovered with a disability after an illness associated with a pseudomembrane. According to the report, the pseudomembrane was removed by a traditional healer before she was subsequently treated at a health facility. Another child, Zainab, was reported to have completely recovered after being taken to a health facility when symptoms began.

The report noted that all four children reported or identified in Sabuwar Kaura had no documented immunisation history, raising concerns about possible immunity gaps within the affected communities.

At Sokkotawa Community, investigators reviewed the register of the MPHC Sokkotawa, also known as Kabiru Gaya Health Facility, covering July 1 to Aug. 28. A total of 620 cases were recorded during the period, including 11 diphtheria cases. However, no death was recorded among the 11 cases.

A community active case search in Sokkotawa identified one recovered case, while no active suspected diphtheria case was found during the visit.

In Sabon Gari A, however, investigators identified one active case and one death from the same household. The active case involved six-year-old Bilkisu Abubakar, whose illness reportedly began around Aug. 21.

The deceased, identified as two-year-old Ya’u Yahya, reportedly developed symptoms on Aug. 21 and died at home on Aug. 28. The child was recorded as having received zero doses of vaccine. Based on the available epidemiological information, the investigation considered the death diphtheria-related, subject to appropriate final case classification.

The response team described the occurrence of an active case and a death within the same household as particularly important epidemiologically, stressing the need for immediate identification and follow-up of household contacts and further investigation.

The team also visited Rano Emirate Hospital to assess the functionality and preparedness of its Diphtheria Treatment Centre (DTC) and to conduct active case searches through the outpatient department register.

The DTC officer in charge reportedly informed the investigators that no diphtheria patient had been admitted to the centre for approximately three weeks before the investigation.

A review of the hospital’s OPD register covering July 1 to Aug. 28 identified six diphtheria cases. Three were recorded from Rano, two from Bunkure and one from Kibiya.

As part of the response, the team conducted sensitisation sessions in two major Juma’at mosques in Rurum. The messages focused on early reporting of suspected cases, prompt care-seeking at health facilities, routine immunisation, prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and community participation in disease surveillance.

The community was also sensitised on diphtheria, viral conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as “Apollo”, and other health-related events. The media team accompanying the response mission supported documentation and dissemination of public health messages.

The investigation identified several public health risks, including the possibility of ongoing diphtheria transmission, immunity gaps resulting from inadequate routine immunisation, delays in seeking appropriate medical care, use of traditional treatment and the risk of household transmission.

It also identified gaps including incomplete information concerning some reported deaths, lack of immunisation histories among several children, possible delays in seeking medical attention and the need for stronger collaboration among communities, healthcare providers and traditional institutions.

The KNCDC recommended intensified active case searches in Rurum Ward, contact tracing and follow-up of suspected or confirmed cases, appropriate specimen collection, updating of case line lists and continued verification of reported deaths through verbal autopsy and available records.

It also recommended strengthening the Rano Emirate Hospital DTC and other treatment centres, increasing staffing and duty coverage, providing essential medicines and diphtheria treatment commodities, and ensuring adequate infection prevention and control materials and personal protective equipment.

The agency further called for reassessment of routine immunisation coverage in Rurum Ward, identification of unimmunised and under-immunised children, appropriate immunisation interventions, stronger community mobilisation and defaulter tracking.

The report urged continued engagement with traditional, religious and community leaders, more community and mosque sensitisation, stronger community-based surveillance and intensified risk communication on diphtheria prevention and routine immunisation.

It also called for continued collaboration with media organisations to ensure that accurate and evidence-based public health information is disseminated to the public.

The investigation concluded that the original allegation of approximately 50 diphtheria deaths in Rurum Ward had not been substantiated. It said the four deaths identified during the field investigation should instead be documented according to their respective epidemiological classifications.

The report nevertheless stressed that the identification of diphtheria-compatible cases and two deaths considered diphtheria-related represented a significant public health concern requiring sustained surveillance, laboratory confirmation, effective case management, contact tracing, strengthened immunisation and community engagement.

It further called for the strengthening of Diphtheria Treatment Centre functionality in Rano LGA and across the 44 local government areas of Kano State, in line with the directive of the state government.
The investigation was conducted by the State and Rano LGA Rapid Response Teams, with a media team supporting documentation, risk communication and dissemination of accurate health information.

The media team included representatives of Voice of Nigeria, Daily Trust, the News Agency of Nigeria and Pulse Time.

The investigation report was signed by Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, Director-General, Kano State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and dated Aug. 29, 2026.