The Kano State Government has launched an investigation into reported cases of diphtheria and cerebrospinal meningitis in Gamji village, Garko Local Government Area, following claims that several residents may have died from the suspected infections.
The probe is being coordinated by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control which on Saturday deployed a team of medical and public health experts to the community for on-the-spot assessment, case management and sample collection.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the intervention was initiated in response to media reports alleging a disease outbreak in the area.
“We carried out a case management and verification exercise to assess the true health situation in Gamji village and confirm the nature of the reported illnesses,” Abbas said.
According to him, the KNCDC team conducted a detailed epidemiological assessment of the community, dividing personnel into four groups to ensure complete house-to-house coverage across the village.
“Each team was assigned to visit households for case identification, clinical assessment and immediate response, so that no part of the community was left uncovered,” he explained.
Residents who showed symptoms of illness were clinically evaluated, while biological samples were collected and sent for laboratory analysis to determine the exact cause of the reported cases.
The agency also provided free medications to affected residents as part of immediate response measures, alongside basic medical advice to households with suspected cases.
Abbas noted that the intervention was aimed at minimising health risks, improving patient outcomes and preventing the possible spread of communicable diseases within the community.
“Beyond treatment, we engaged residents on the importance of seeking prompt medical attention at health facilities whenever they experience symptoms of illness,” he said.
The sensitisation exercise was extended to mosques within the community, where residents were educated on disease prevention, early reporting of suspected cases and the need to cooperate with health authorities during public health emergencies.
The KNCDC boss reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, adding that the agency would continue to closely monitor developments in the area pending the outcome of laboratory tests.
“The results of the samples collected will guide our next line of action if further intervention becomes necessary,” Abbas assured.
He recalled that KNCDC had earlier conducted similar public health awareness campaigns and distributed free medication in Durmawa and Tiga communities in Bebeji Local Government Area after reports of suspected diphtheria cases.
