A family in the Hotoron Yan Dodo community of Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano State, has been thrown into mourning after four of its five children died of diphtheria in the space of two weeks.
The children’s father, Malam Yusuf Maitama, said that the outbreak began with his youngest daughter, who developed fever, sore throat, catarrh, and a visible white coating in her throat — classic signs of diphtheria. Despite being rushed to hospital, she died the same day.
Days later, her seven-year-old sister developed similar symptoms and passed away within 48 hours of hospital admission.
“That was the second child in one week,” Yusuf said, recalling how neighbours initially attributed the deaths to spiritual causes. “But doctors confirmed it was diphtheria, and that’s when I realized my other children were at risk.”
According to him, tests confirmed all three surviving children were infected. Two later died, while the eldest daughter survived after urgent medical treatment.
“The third victim died a week later after being admitted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Doctors said one of her kidneys was failing, but because there were no available beds, we had to take her home. She died that night,” Yusuf recounted tearfully.
The family is still in mourning, with Yusuf unable to disclose the names of his late children due to deep distress.
Health officials have since visited the household, fumigated the premises, and administered vaccines to children in the area.
This tragedy adds to a growing list of diphtheria-related deaths in Kano. In 2024, three children from a family in Kumbotso Local Government Area died within a week from the same disease.
Responding to inquiries, Kano State Ministry of Health spokesperson, Nablusi Abubakar Kofar Naisa, said most deaths are linked to lack of vaccination.
“If you hear of a death, it’s likely the child was not vaccinated. We continue to urge parents to take their children for free immunization,” he said, noting that the state has designated a special hospital for diphtheria cases, while other facilities are also providing free treatment and vaccination.
Kano remains one of Nigeria’s hardest-hit states by diphtheria. Official data shows more than 10,000 children were infected in 2023, with nearly 1,000 deaths. Experts warn that vaccination remains the most effective protection against the disease.
