The Kano State Centre for Disease Control has linked the state’s diphtheria burden to the high number of zero-dose children who have never received any vaccination.

The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Saturday in Kano.

Adamu-Abbas said Kano recorded more than 39,000 suspected diphtheria cases between Dec. 2, 2022 and Aug. 26, 2026, with over 32,000 confirmed through laboratory, clinical and epidemiological assessments.

He said more than 16,000 of the confirmed cases involved zero-dose children, while more than 9,000 cases were recorded among fully vaccinated children.

The director-general said more than 1,800 people died from the disease within the period, describing the situation as a crisis requiring urgent attention through improved routine immunisation and stronger community engagement.

He said Kano had recorded a significant reduction in its diphtheria burden after the state decentralised treatment centres to communities outside the state capital.

Adamu-Abbas said treatment centres had been established in Rano, Bichi, Danbatta, Wudil and Tudun Wada, among other locations, with 26 facilities comprising secondary and primary healthcare centres.

He also dismissed reports that more than 50 children had died from diphtheria in Rano Local Government Area.

According to him, 32 diphtheria cases were recorded in Rano between January and Aug. 26, 2026, with two deaths.

He said 94 per cent of the affected children had no history of vaccination, while 91 per cent of them reported late for treatment.

The director-general warned against traditional practices such as removing the membrane formed in the throat of diphtheria patients, saying such practices could worsen the condition.

He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children received routine vaccinations and to seek medical attention promptly whenever symptoms of diphtheria were observed.

Adamu-Abbas also called for stronger collaboration among health authorities, traditional institutions, communities and the media to identify zero-dose children and improve immunisation coverage across the state.