Lagos State has confirmed 14 cases of diphtheria at King’s College Annex in Victoria Island, with one fatality reported.
The confirmation came during an inspection visit by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, on Tuesday.
Professor Abayomi, accompanied by key health officials, including Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health, and Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, Permanent Secretary of Lagos Health District III, assessed the situation firsthand.
The delegation toured the school’s facilities, focusing on dormitories, classrooms, kitchens, and sanitary areas to ensure proper hygiene and prevent further spread of the bacterial infection.
“We are facing a public health challenge, but we are taking all the necessary steps to contain this outbreak,” Prof. Abayomi stated.
He explained that the outbreak had been ongoing for over 10 days before it was officially confirmed. The affected students have received medical treatment, including antibiotics and diphtheria antiserum.
Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system, spreads through airborne droplets, especially in crowded settings.
The state government has launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting all students and staff at King’s College. However, the vaccine will only be administered to students with parental consent.
“We are here to strengthen immunity. While children are vaccinated against diphtheria during infancy, the vaccine’s efficacy wanes over time, and a booster is essential to safeguard them against future exposure,” Prof. Abayomi explained.
The Commissioner also addressed concerns about vaccine side effects, assuring the public that any adverse reactions would be mild and manageable.
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, confirmed that four students had been admitted for treatment, although they were stable.
The government urged parents to keep their children in school despite the outbreak, cautioning that removing them could spread the disease further.
“This school is now operating like an isolation center,” Prof. Abayomi emphasised.
The state government is also reviewing hygiene standards across schools and plans to implement new policies to prevent future outbreaks.
“This is a wake-up call. We will strengthen measures to ensure that our schools maintain proper hygiene and sanitation to prevent further occurrences of diphtheria,” he said.
Parents have been advised to stay vigilant for symptoms of diphtheria, which include sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and difficulty breathing.
