Kano family seeks urgent help after five children die in seven days

By Sani Magaji Garko
A family in Danbare New Layout, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, has been thrown into mourning after losing five children within seven days to an illness suspected to be diphtheria.

The children, comprising three girls and two boys, reportedly died between October 1 and October 7, 2026, leaving their father, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, and other family members devastated.

According to information provided by the family, the tragedy began on October 1, when two children, a boy and a girl, reportedly died after battling an illness suspected to be diphtheria.

The situation reportedly worsened on October 7, when three more children, two girls and a boy, died.

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The deaths have raised concerns about the possibility of further transmission within the household and the surrounding community.

The Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KNCDC), Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, has promised to investigate the reported deaths and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Abbas also urged residents to report suspected diseases to the nearest health facilities and seek prompt medical attention rather than delay treatment or attempt to manage suspected cases at home.

He stressed the importance of early reporting, detection and treatment in preventing avoidable deaths and containing the spread of infectious diseases.

The children’s father, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, is appealing to the relevant health authorities for urgent intervention to determine the exact cause of the deaths and protect other members of the family and residents of Danbare and neighbouring communities.

However, health authorities have yet to independently confirm that diphtheria caused the reported deaths.

The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by the Kano State Government to prevent the spread of diphtheria through vaccination, surveillance and community mobilisation.

In September, the state government commenced a diphtheria immunisation campaign in five local government areas: Kumbotso, Dala, Fagge, Gwale and Ungogo.

The campaign was aimed at preventing further transmission and improving protection among vulnerable residents.

The KNCDC has also intensified community mobilisation, urging traditional institutions and residents to support vaccination efforts and report suspected cases promptly.

In August, Professor Abbas disclosed that Kano had recorded a significant burden of diphtheria since the disease re-emerged in the state, emphasising the importance of vaccination and early presentation at health facilities.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can spread from person to person, particularly through respiratory droplets and close contact. It can cause severe throat infections, breathing difficulties and potentially fatal complications if treatment is delayed.

Health authorities have repeatedly emphasised vaccination, early detection and prompt treatment as critical measures for reducing deaths and preventing further transmission.

The reported deaths in Danbare have heightened concerns about the need for intensified disease surveillance and urgent public-health intervention to protect residents.

Residents of Danbare New Layout and neighbouring communities are advised to report suspected cases to health facilities promptly and seek medical attention if symptoms associated with diphtheria develop.

They are also encouraged to cooperate with health officials if testing, contact tracing, vaccination or other public-health measures are introduced following the investigation.

The grieving father is appealing to the Kano State Government, health authorities, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals for support, while urging urgent action to prevent further loss of life in Danbare and surrounding communities.