Suspected diphtheria outbreak at King’s College Lagos

There are concerns about a suspected diphtheria outbreak at King’s College Lagos (KCL). According to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some students with the disease were hospitalized for treatment, raising fears of a potential health crisis at the school. Several parents complained about the lack of transparency of the college administration, asking why some students were required to wear masks or taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) if there was no risk at the institute. There are also rumours that officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) visited KCL on March 8 to educate students on preventive measures against diphtheria. Concerned parents are calling on the federal government to clarify the situation and improve water and sanitation facilities at KCL and other schools.
Commenting on the issue, the King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA) confirmed that some ill students had been isolated and sent to LUTH for diagnosis. Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna, KCPTA Public Relations Officer, added that booster doses of diphtheria vaccine were being administered to students and preventive measures had been implemented to contain a potential disease outbreak. She also confirmed a visit by WHO officials to check the situation, asking parents to remain calm and cooperative. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause serious complications if not treated early. According to the WHO, the best preventive measure is vaccination, with six doses from infancy to adolescence. In the last three years, the Nigeria Centre for Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recorded over 41,000 suspected cases across the country.