Pulse.ng : Disease outbreaks in Kaduna, a call to action for health, hygiene

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Disease outbreaks has spread rapidly across Kaduna State, affecting hundreds of children and sparking widespread concern among health officials and parents. Over 200 cases of disease outbreak have been recorded since the beginning of the year, with the disease believed to be vaccine-preventable.

In Government Girls Secondary School Kawo (GGSS) Kawo, a diarrhea outbreak affected several students, with about ten children admitted to the hospital. The school has over 2,000 students, and health officials identified hygiene issues, particularly with the cafeteria and sanitation facilities.

Meanwhile, at Queen Amina College, with about 3000 students, diphtheria outbreak has been reported, and hyperpigmentation in some students. The state team is responding to the crisis, coordinating with local governments, and providing support.

The outbreak of diphtheria

started in Kafanchan, where many children died, and was initially thought to be a traditional disease.

However, it was later determined to be vaccine-preventable. The disease has been lingering for about two to three years, with health officials working to respond to the outbreaks and prevent further spread.

In GGSS Kawo, about ten children were admitted due to the outbreak. They were evacuated to the hospital, treated, and returned to school. No new cases have been reported since then.

The school has over 2,000 students, and health officials identified hygiene issues, particularly with the cafeteria and sanitation facilities. The team provided veronica buckets for handwashing and sensitization.

The state team is responding to the crisis, coordinating with local governments, and providing support. Mass vaccination campaigns were done in 2023, but vaccine supply remains a challenge.

The outbreak affects not only Kaduna State but also many other states. Health officials are working to respond to the crisis and prevent further spread.

Speaking on the outbreak at Queen Amina College and GGSS Kawo, Mukhtar Maude, the Director Schools, Kaduna State Ministry of Education, said his daughter who attends Queen Amina College came back home for holidays with rashes (Hyperpigmentation), and infected two other family members.

He said he mobilized officials to the school, and the principal acknowledged the disease.

Maude, had reported the issue to the relevant authorities, including the School Feeding Programme, and is seeking solutions to the problem.

In the case of GGSS Kawo, the school principal attributed the issue to the food served to students, which she believes is a matter of the feeding pattern rather than an outbreak.

The Kaduna State Epidemiologist, Jeremiah Daikwo, confirms the outbreak and is working to investigate and contain the situation. He added, however, that the vaccine is in short supply at the moment. Hence, they could not continue with the vaccination.

The Coordinator of Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) in Kaduna, Pastor Peter Kuzasuwat whose team embarked on the fact finding, visited the affected schools, the state's Ministry of Health and Education to unravel the true situation, found similar hygiene challenges, including non-functional sanitation facilities and open defecation practices.

Kuzasuwat noted that the primary goal of the visit was to identify the root causes of the outbreak and recommend urgent preventive measures.

He, however, acknowledged government effort in providing improved sanitation facilities but noted challenges from management of the facilities.

Kuzasuwat called for the need to go back to the drawing boards to design what suits the state's needs for better health and wellbeing.

Newsmen reports that the preliminary findings revealed poor maintenance of sanitation infrastructure and a lack of sustainable hygiene practices. To address this, NEWSAN recommended the establishment of Environmental Clubs in all schools.

These clubs would help educate and engage students in maintaining clean and healthy school environments, while raising awareness about disease prevention.

The investigation also highlighted the need for more healthcare personnel in schools to monitor and manage students’ health effectively. Additionally, the team called for the recruitment of more matrons and caregivers to ensure better supervision and support for students, particularly in the hostels.