Kano diphtheria outbreak kills 50 children

A diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria — Rano Local Government Area of Nigeria — Kano State, Nigeria, has reportedly killed more than 50 children, according to lawmakers in the Nigeria — Lagos State House of Assembly. The outbreak, which has affected communities such as Rurum, Sabuwar Kaura, and Ridin, has spread to neighboring Nigeria — Kiru Local Government Area. Lawmakers raised a motion of urgent public importance, urging Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Nigeria — Kano State Ministry of Health to provide additional emergency aid, medical personnel, and vaccines. The Assembly adopted a resolution directing its Committee on Health to work with the Ministry of Health to implement emergency measures, including invoking the state's Health Protection Law to isolate affected areas and restrict movement. The outbreak follows a similar incident last year and highlights ongoing challenges in vaccination coverage and disease surveillance in Nigeria.