Katsina State is battling a growing diphtheria outbreak, with suspected cases now reported in 29 of its local government areas. Authorities have intensified emergency vaccination, surveillance and isolation measures to contain the spread.

Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shema’u Kabir, briefed journalists on Sunday. She said Funtua has the highest number of cases, while Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura are also among the worst-affected areas.

The government has launched a reactive vaccination campaign targeting 15 high-risk wards in Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia. Within the first three days, 67,670 eligible people received Td vaccines and 24,103 children received Pentavalent vaccines. An additional 650,000 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines have been secured for high-risk communities.

Three more isolation centres have been established to support the existing facility at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina. Drugs, medical consumables and infection-control supplies are being sent to affected areas. Challenges remain, including low vaccination uptake, delayed hospital visits and the state’s porous border with Niger Republic.

Dr Kabir urged parents not to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking care. Residents with sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, neck swelling or a thick membrane in the throat or nose were advised to report immediately to the nearest health facility. The government also called on communities to cooperate with vaccination and surveillance teams.