In response to a diphtheria outbreak that has claimed the lives of five children, a combined team from the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and local health officials has returned to the Tukur-Tukur community in Zaria, Kaduna State, for a second round of immunization and follow-up.
Dr. Bello Jamo, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, confirmed that the deaths were linked to non-compliance with diphtheria vaccinations during a previous campaign.
The community, led by elder Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, has expressed gratitude for the swift response and pledged to cooperate with health officials to eradicate the disease.
The medical team will continue immunizations and conduct a house-to-house survey to assess the spread of the disease.
Suleiman emphasized the importance of community collaboration in overcoming the outbreak.
