LASG activates emergency response following Diphtheria outbreak
The Lagos State Government has mobilised its Emergency Response Committee in reaction to an outbreak of diphtheria at the King’s College boarding house in the Victoria Island Annex.
The announcement follows a report that disclosed the presence of diphtheria in the school.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reassured the public that the situation was under control, urging residents to remain calm.
“There is no cause for panic,” he said in a statement on Monday. “We have swiftly activated containment measures to protect the public from further spread of the disease.”
He confirmed that an Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) had been convened to manage the outbreak and prevent fatalities.
The first identified case involved a 12-year-old boy who developed a sore throat and fever on 22nd February.
“He was promptly referred to the paediatric emergency ward at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he was admitted and given the appropriate antibiotics and a full dose of diphtheria antitoxin serum,” Abayomi stated.
Despite receiving immediate medical intervention, the boy succumbed to severe heart inflammation (myocarditis) on 6th March, a known complication of diphtheria.
“Myocarditis is a recognised and serious consequence of the bacterial toxin,” he explained.
By the time of the student’s passing, an Emergency Operations Committee was already in place, and 34 individuals who had been in close contact with him were under observation.
“Of these, 14 exhibited symptoms consistent with diphtheria,” Abayomi revealed.
He explained that the affected students were promptly taken to LUTH’s Children’s Emergency Unit, where they were screened by medical experts.
“Out of the 14 students assessed, 12 were identified as showing early symptoms of diphtheria and were immediately admitted for treatment, including antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin serum,” he said.
So far, no new cases have emerged, and all 14 symptomatic students are responding well to treatment.
An initial inspection of the King’s College Annex revealed gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
“We will immediately begin strengthening IPC protocols at the school to reduce further risk,” Abayomi confirmed.
He also announced that, in collaboration with federal health agencies, a targeted vaccination campaign would be launched for all students at both the Victoria Island Annex and the Main School in Igbosere.
“Inoculation will also extend to healthcare workers to fortify immunity against the disease,” he added. The initiative may be expanded across Lagos State, depending on the evolving situation.
To enhance public awareness, the government is distributing educational leaflets across healthcare facilities, detailing diphtheria symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options.
“The state government is also preparing a public health announcement to inform residents about the outbreak, advising them to watch for symptoms such as sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing, and swollen neck glands,” Abayomi said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) have all been notified and are working with the Lagos government to coordinate an effective response.
“Lagos has approximately 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccine available, which will be strategically deployed to high-risk locations,” Abayomi stated.
The state’s Emergency Operations Centre will convene daily to assess developments and guide policy decisions.
“Further meetings will include the Ministry of Basic and Tertiary Education, alongside other key stakeholders, to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination in addressing the outbreak,” he added.
Abayomi urged Lagosians to prioritise hygiene, avoid overcrowded environments, and seek medical care immediately if they experience symptoms associated with diphtheria.
“Early detection and timely treatment can save lives. We must all work together to contain this outbreak and safeguard our communities,” he said.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the throat, causing inflammation, fever, swollen glands, and difficulty breathing. The toxin released by the bacteria can lead to complications affecting the heart, lungs, and nervous system.
The disease is preventable through full vaccination, good hygiene practices, avoidance of crowded, poorly ventilated spaces, and prompt treatment with antibiotics and antitoxin to neutralise the bacterial toxin.
