By our Reporter
Lagos State Government has confirmed 14 diphtheria cases among pupils at King’s College Annex, Victoria Island, Lagos, with one reported death.
Prof Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, confirmed the cases during a visit to the school yesterday.
He was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, and other top government officials.
The visit was aimed at assessing the situation and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease.
The delegation, which included the Permanent Secretary of Lagos Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, and Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, inspected key facilities.
The Head Teacher, Mr. Zachariah Magaji, along with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman, Peter Oluwaleye and representatives of the school’s alumni, also joined health officials on the tour and participated in the vaccination.
They examined the kitchen, dining hall, dormitories, classrooms, sickbay, sanitary areas and waste disposal units to identify risk factors and strengthen preventive measures against the disease’s spread.
The visit, which also focused on assessing hygiene standards and dormitory arrangements, comes amid growing concerns from parents and public health experts over the school’s sanitation.
Abayomi said the outbreak had been ongoing for over 10 days before it was confirmed.
He said the affected pupils were receiving medical care, with 12 administered antibiotics and diphtheria antiserum.
“This is a disease that spreads through airborne droplets, especially in crowded environments,” Abayomi said during a news briefing.
“We have conducted thorough inspection of the school’s sanitary conditions, dormitories and classrooms to improve ventilation, spacing and access to clean water.”
The commissioner advised the pupils on the importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene. He urged them to practise regular handwashing and report any diphtheria symptoms.
Addressing parents’ concerns, he reassured them that the government was handling the situation and advised against withdrawing their children from school, warning that this could make containment more challenging.
In response to the outbreak, the state government has started a mass vaccination campaign targeting pupils and staff members at the school. However, only pupils with parental consent will receive the booster dose.
“We are here today to strengthen immunity. Most children are vaccinated against diphtheria in infancy, but immunity wanes over time. The booster dose will help prevent infection in case of exposure.” Abayomi explained.
He addressed concerns about potential vaccine side effects, assuring students and parents that while mild to moderate reactions may occur, they are uncommon and easily managed.
He urged anyone experiencing any adverse effects to report to the school’s health care facility, where medical personnel are on standby to provide prompt care.
According to the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, confirmed that four pupils were admitted to the hospital for treatment.
“We have four pupils admitted in LUTH. They have not been discharged, but they are stable,” Adeyemo said, adding: “They were given antibiotics and antitoxin supplied by the Lagos State Government, and they are responding well to treatment.”
In an effort to contain the outbreak, the state has advised parents against withdrawing their children from the school, warning that seemingly healthy students may be incubating the bacteria and can spread the infection to their families and communities.
“This school is operating like an isolation centre. We have professionals on the ground, sanitation improvements in place, and a vaccination campaign underway. It is safer for students to remain here than to leave and potentially infect others,” Abayomi said.
Diphtheria, a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system, spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with an infected person.
The state has vowed to learn from this outbreak and implement policies that will improve hygiene standards, reduce overcrowding in schools and enhance vaccination protocols.
“This is a wake-up call. We will be reviewing policies on class sizes, dormitory arrangements, and access to water and sanitation to prevent future outbreaks, ”Abayomi said.
The vaccination campaign is ongoing, with medical teams working efficiently to immunise as many students and workers as possible.
Health officials will remain stationed at the school to monitor students post-vaccination and address any adverse reactions promptly.
Authorities are hopeful that with the swift response and coordinated public health measures, the outbreak will be contained, preventing further fatalities and protecting the broader community.
Parents and residents have been urged to remain vigilant for diphtheria symptoms, including severe sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands and difficulty in breathing.
Suspected cases should be reported to the nearest health care facility for immediate attention.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes it as a highly contagious disease that can cause severe complications, including breathing difficulties, heart failure and death.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 41,336 suspected cases of diphtheria across 36 states between Epidemiological Week 19, 2022, and Epidemiological Week 4, 2025, highlighting the growing public health challenge posed by vaccine-preventable diseases.
