About 50 people have lost their lives from January to date, following outbreak of diphtheria in some Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

This is even as about 1,000 cases of the disease have been recorded in parts of the state within the same period.

Acting Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Agency (PHCA), Shaima’u Abba, made this known at a press conference Sunday evening.

Abba said as at August 28, the state had recorded some cases of the disease in 29 council areas.

“As of Epidemiological Week 35, of 2026, (28 August 2026) Katsina State has recorded suspected cases of diphtheria across 29 local government areas.

“The distribution of cases shows that some LGAs are more affected than others, with Funtua recording the highest burden, followed by other affected LGAs including Kankia, Bakori, Katsina, Mashi and Daura.”

She said the state government, as part of efforts to address the outbreak, has intensified its response through the State Emergency Preparedness and Rapid Response Team, with the agency working closely with the Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, NCDC and our development partners.

She also said reactive vaccination commenced on August 25 in 15 high-risk wards across Bakori, Charanchi, Funtua, Mashi and Kankia councils, adding that the campaign is being implemented in collaboration with NPHCDA, with logistical support from UNICEF.

“The response has already recorded encouraging community participation. Preliminary campaign data show high turnout and strong community demand, supported by house-to-house mobilization, traditional leaders, community stakeholders and close supervision by the State, LGAS, NPHCDA and partners.

“By Day 3 of the exercise, 67,670 eligible persons had received Td vaccine, while 24,103 children had received Pentavalent vaccine across the five implementing LGAS.”

She added that the state government “has secured additional 650,000 doses of diphtheria containing vaccines for reactive vaccination to rapidly protect people living in high-risk and affected communities.”

Abba lamented that despite these efforts, challenges still exist including “suboptimal vaccination uptake, late presentation of suspected cases to health facilities and the challenge posed by our porous international border with the Niger Republic.”

She called on parents to ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines as vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways of preventing the disease.

“We also urge members of the public to immediately report to the nearest health facility if they or their children develop symptoms such as sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling of the neck, or a thick greyish or whitish membrane in the throat, tonsils or nose.

“Please do not wait until the condition becomes severe, and do not attempt to manage a suspected case at home. Early presentation to a health facility can save lives and also help prevent transmission to family members and the wider community

“We equally appeal to community members to cooperate with vaccination teams, surveillance officers and other health workers visiting communities as part of this response,” she added.