Lagos Activates Emergency Response Following Diphtheria Outbreak

The Lagos State Government has mobilised its Emergency Response Committee in reaction to a diphtheria outbreak at the King’s College Lagos boarding house, Victoria Island Annex.

Professor Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health, confirmed the activation of containment measures in a statement on Monday, assuring the public that the situation was being brought under control.

He urged against panic, stressing the government’s commitment to ongoing preventive measures to safeguard residents from infectious disease outbreaks.

According to Professor Abayomi, the index case, a 12-year-old student, initially presented with symptoms of a sore throat and fever at the school’s health facility on February 22. Following his passing, the Emergency Operation Committee swiftly intervened, identifying and closely monitoring 34 close contacts for possible symptoms.

Of the 14 students screened, 12 displayed early signs of diphtheria and were immediately placed on treatment with antibiotics and Diphtheria Antitoxoid Serum.

The state government, in collaboration with federal health agencies, has also initiated plans for a targeted vaccination campaign for all consenting students across both the Victoria Island Annex and the Main School in Igbosere.

By Julian Osamoto;