One dead, 14 hospitalised as diphtheria breaks out at Kings College

The Lagos State Government has initiated an emergency response following the death of a 12-year-old student at Kings College, Victoria Island Annexe, after a diphtheria outbreak.

Fourteen other students are currently hospitalised at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), receiving treatment.

According to the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the index case presented with symptoms of sore throat and fever on February 22 and was promptly referred to LUTH.

Despite receiving appropriate antibiotics and diphtheria toxoid serum, the 12-year-old succumbed to myocarditis—a severe complication of the bacterial infection—on March 6.

“Despite the timely intervention, the boy succumbed to progressive and irreversible inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), caused by the bacterial toxin,” Abayomi said.

Recently, health authorities identified 34 close contacts of the deceased, placing them under observation. 14 students developed symptoms consistent with diphtheria and are undergoing treatment at the Children’s Emergency Unit. Medical assessments confirmed that 12 of them exhibited early signs of the disease.

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Reassuring the public, Abayomi stated, “The outbreak is under control, and there is no need to panic. We remain committed to ongoing measures to safeguard residents from infectious diseases.”

The government has since launched a vaccination campaign targeting students, staff, and healthcare workers at both the Victoria Island Annexe and the main school in Igbosere. Over 500,000 doses of the diphtheria vaccine are available to be strategically deployed across high-risk areas.

Efforts are also underway to enhance public awareness, with information leaflets being distributed across healthcare facilities to educate residents on symptoms and preventive measures.

Health authorities, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), have been notified and are working closely with Lagos State to coordinate an effective response.