NIGERIA: FG Activates Emergency Task Force Over Diphtheria Outbreak in Katsina, Kano

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

The federal government has activated an emergency task force to contain a diphtheria outbreak affecting children in parts of Katsina and Kano States.

The task force will strengthen disease surveillance, close immunisation gaps, and improve access to timely treatment as authorities move to contain the outbreak.

The directive was issued by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, affected state governments and international health partners, has constituted the multi-agency task force to coordinate the response.

The task force will be co-chaired by the Director-General of NCDC and the Director of Public Health, with representatives from NPHCDA, the health ministries of Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto States, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Katsina State.

As part of immediate containment efforts, NPHCDA has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano States to support intensified immunisation of unvaccinated children in affected and at-risk communities.

The task force has also been directed to work with the Katsina State Government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura, and Funtua.

The move is aimed at bringing treatment closer to affected communities and ensuring early intervention.

Authorities are also mobilising emergency support for the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, the principal referral centre for the state and parts of neighbouring states.

The support will include Diphtheria Antitoxin, DAT, intravenous antibiotics, additional clinical personnel and personal protective equipment.

The task force will provide weekly updates to the coordinating minister on the progress of the response, emerging challenges, and additional requirements, while identified bottlenecks will be escalated for immediate resolution.

The Federal Government said it remains committed to protecting Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases and containing the outbreak through a swift, coordinated, and evidence-based response.