By Akinwale Kasali
The Diphtheria Outbreak which hit Kings College, Victoria Island Annexe, in Lagos has resulted in the death of two students. 14 others are hospitalized.
Following this development, the Lagos State Government has activated an Emergency Response Protocol.
The Diphtheria outbreak was first identified on February 22, when a 12-year-old student exhibited its symptoms, including a sore throat and fever, and was quickly referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
Despite aggressive treatment, including the administration of Diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics, the student’s condition worsened, leading to myocarditis, a severe complication of diphtheria that affects the heart.
Sadly, the student died on March 6, after a two-week battle with the disease.
In response to the situation, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi said the Lagos Emergency Operations Committee launched an immediate investigation, tracing 34 individuals who had close contact with the student.
According to him “Alarmingly, 14 of these contacts began showing symptoms consistent with diphtheria. These individuals were promptly admitted to LUTH’s Children’s Emergency Unit, where medical staff worked swiftly to assess their condition.
“Of the 14, 12 were confirmed to have early-stage diphtheria and received intensive treatment, including antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin therapy.
“Upon further inspection of the school’s boarding facilities, health authorities identified critical gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols.”
While the outbreak has raised significant concerns, Prof. Abayomi noted that the situation is under control.
“Early detection and prompt treatment are key to saving lives”.
Abayomi further noted that a Preliminary Inspection of King’s College Annex by health officials uncovered areas where Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, measures need to be improved and that process will commence immediately.
The State Government, in collaboration with Federal Health Agencies, are set to launch a targeted vaccination campaign for all consenting students of the school (both the annexe on Victoria Island and the Main School in Igbosere), inclusive of all healthcare providers, to strengthen immunity against the deadly infection. This may likely expand statewide.
To ensure widespread public awareness, information leaflets detailing diphtheria symptoms, prevention, and early treatment options are being disseminated across all healthcare facilities in Lagos.
The State Government is also preparing a public health announcement to sensitize Lagosians about the outbreak, warning them to watch out for symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, difficulty in breathing, and swollen neck glands.
Health authorities, including World Health Organization, WHO, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, have been notified of the outbreak and are collaborating with Lagos State to coordinate an effective response.
Lagos has close to 500,000 doses of Diphtheria vaccines in stock, which will be strategically deployed as part of the emergency response to high risk locations.
The State Emergency Operations Centre, EOC, will convene daily to assess the evolving situation and guide policy decisions.
Subsequent meetings will involve the Ministry of Basic and Tertiary Education as well as other stakeholders to enhance inter-sectoral coordination in tackling the outbreak.
Abayomi advised Lagos residents to prioritize good hygiene, avoid crowded environments, and seek medical attention immediately if experiencing diphtheria-like symptoms.
“Early detection and treatment can save lives. Let’s all work together to curb this outbreak and protect our communities,” he said.
The Honourable Commissioner of Health would like to assure Lagosians that “the outbreak is under control and there is no need to panic because measures will continue in earnest of to protect our citizens from infectious disease outbreaks”.
Diphtheria is an infection of the throat caused by a bacteria that results in inflammation of the throat, fever, swollen neck glands and difficulty in breathing. In addition, a toxin produced by the bacteria can cause failure of multiple organs, such as heart, lungs and nerves.
It is preventable by adhering to the full vaccination schedule, good hygiene, avoidance of crowded under-ventilated spaces and prompt treatment of infection with antibiotics and anti toxoid serum to neutralize the effect of the toxin on organs.
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